experiment for 4 year old

Fun Science Ideas for 3-4 Year Olds

My naughty little princess Tisha has just finished her birthday and entered 3. I decided to do a lot of fun activities and make her understand science in an easy way. Yes, they are STEM activities. At the same time, we are trying to add more experiments age wise to all the little ones and add value.

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Fun Science and STEM Activities for 3-4 year olds

Dancing Ghosts : Halloween Balloon Static Electricity Activity

Static Comb Experiment : Explore Static Electricity for Kids

How to Make Glowing Water : Science Experiment

How to Make Oobleck (A Perfect Non Newtonian Fluid)

Cool Watermelon Science Experiments for Kids

Skittles Rainbow : Dissolving Dye Science Project

Exploring Veins Patterns in Leaves – Kids Painting Activity

Egg and Toothpaste Experiment (Learn Importance of Brushing Your Teeth)

How to Make a Square Bubble

Sensory Play with Jelly (Find out Solid or Liquid)

How to Draw on Water Using Dry Erase Markers (Dancing Drawings)

Walking on Eggs : Measure the Strength of Egg Shell

How Strong is an Egg Shell? Strength of Eggshell Bridge

Rainbow Rubber Egg Science Experiment

Easy Experiments to Introduce Magnetism to Kids

DIY Pully – Physics Fun Experiment for Kids

Respiration in Plants – Live Proof

Candle Under Glass Experiment

DIY Borax Bouncy Ball -Experiment

Glowing Water Beads Experiment for Kids

Easy Volcano Eruption Experiment for Kids (3 Methods & Beautiful Results)

Questacon (Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre) – Place to Visit With Kids

Science Behind Making Butter

How to Start Fire with a Magnifying Glass?

Glow in the Dark Ice Cubes – Sensory, Edible Science Activity

Density Science for Kids : Create Fireworks in Water & Oil

STEM Toys for Girls : 2019 Topmost Toys for Curious Girls

Engineering Toys for Girls : 2019 Ultimate List for Little Geniuses

Why Do Flowers Change Color in Food Coloring – Experiment for Kids

Spiny Leaf Phasmids : Secret Life of Pets (DIY Enclosure Steps!)

DIY Christmas Tree Magnet Maze (Fun Science Game)

Book Review of Ada Twist, Scientist

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas : Nature Learning for Kids

Safety Glasses – Advantages & Using Guide

Swirling Milk Experiment (Magic Milk Activity)

DIY Christmas Tree Bubble Wand {Learn bubble physics}

Catapult STEM Project – DIY Catapult for Kids

Coloring Activity – Girl as a Scientist

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium – Perfect Excursion for Kids

Upcycled Catapult – STEM go green DIY Challenge

Static Electricity Balloon and Salt and Pepper Experiment

Spore Printing with Mushroom – Botany Lesson with Fungi

Naked Egg (Dissolving Egg Shell) Experiment

How To Make Balance Scales for Toddlers and Preschoolers

How to make Curds and Whey

How to Make Heart Shaped Bubble Wand

Easter Egg Bubble Wands

Magnet Maze Game Designing Activity – Learn Science and Art

Shape Bubble Wands – DIY in Different Shapes

DIY Fridge Door Marble Run Using Magnets

Comparing Different Seeds – An Activity About Nature Science

Delightfully Fizzy Sherbet

Want even more preschooler science activities?

In case you want to get several innovative science concepts for your little ones going to preschool, then you can take a look at these links given below.

• Alum crystal glows – Take a highlighter, alum, spoon, hot water, black light, and scissors. All are available easily. Be careful when kids use alum. Extract the ink from the highlighter for doing this experiment. Blacklight is mandatory to make the alum glow. For more details Easy science for kids .
• Dancing Raisins – See how this little one is making raisins dance. He is very clearly explaining the experiment. You can also let kids follow his instruction and make raisins dance. With ingredients available in kitchen countertop make this dance show happen. For more details Youtube dancing raisins .
• Rhythms of Play got a great idea about Fish using Magnets . You must not miss out to add fun to your little ones.
• This  colorful celery found in Look We Are Learning is yet a great method to see plants transferring their nutrients and water to other plants.
• Fruits can be stopped from browning – Lets now teach kids about how to keep fruits from browning. For this experiment, you need fruits and lemon juice. Any of these solutions will help teach kids about preventing fruits from browning. For more details Really are you serious .
• Childhood101 has given a great explanation about making a miniature of microscope just with things available at home.
• Fantastic Fun and learning have explained about dissolving lollipop . Check it out.
• Trio experiment with water – These experiments will help students to understand about water and its properties. Whether all substance dissolve in liquid(water)? How water helps the plant to grow? Why water melts fast? So, all these are about water. Try to involve kids to make them understand better. For more details Kids Academy .
• Does ice get affected by salt?  Try this activity to explore more. Learn the way water is absorbing watercolor. This is from Learning and Exploring Through Play.
• Its time to make fun with sounds and here you go with KC Edventures art that has made a musical instrument which will be heard by one person and you can do it yourself
• Now become an artist by painting just using Epsom salts . Gifted by One Creative Mommy. You can see the glowing faces of kids when they see the crystals upon drying.
• Drinking Density Experiment – Make some juice to drink. Yes, it is a cocktail and you are just not going to make kids drink but teach density of different liquids from this experiment. Sugar makes the drink denser. Take different juice and add sugar to it and that will decide the density of the juice. See layers of juice in glass through this lesson. For more details Science Bob
• Here’s a  safe way to explore bubble with apples ! Presented by the Powol Packets.
• Oxygen from plants – We tell kids not to sleep under a tree during the night because they release CO 2. This lesson will talk about leaves creating oxygen. Apt for a 3rd grade to teach about plants and related to human respiration. For more details Projects jugaad
• Use modeling clay and playdough to teach moon and its phases just like KC Edventures did.
•  i-spy bottle can make galaxy so you can teach kids about naming planets. Learn this art by checking Best Toys 4 Toddlers postings.
• Double gazed drinking – Using plastic bottles, glass, hot water, and thermometer it is now possible to teach kids about heating and temperature. This is a double gazed glass experiment to help understand about heating. For more details Owlcation
• Get ready for designing sun prints on your own and this is a STEM + Art project called STEAM explained by Creative Family Fun.
• Making constellations is as simple as that with toothpicks and marshmallows . Have some additional marshmallows due to the reason that it might vanish while constructing. Proudly posted in Munchkins and Moms.
• Homemade air cushion vehicle – You can now teach kids about hovercraft. Yes, this air cushion vehicle can be made with pop up bottle cap, CD, and a balloon. See how this works. It is fun and a good way to teach kids. For more details Kid spot
• Balloon Car – Only with a drinking straw, plastic bottle, and balloon your kids can make a car. Here teach about the car and its functioning. To make kids feel glad about making a car on their own follow this instruction. How do wheels rotate and what is required to move the car can be taught in this lesson. For more details Awesome ideas
• Buggy and Buddy teaches  making rainbow along with prisms lesson
• Lets now quench the curiosity of kids about frosting and condensing by making them happen at your home. Learn this from Look We Are Learning.
• Gravity with rubber bands . How is it possible? Yes, it is and you can check this out to see the stretching capacity of rubber bands. Check out Planet Smartypants for more details.
• One more friction lesson – Friction is an important lesson for kids and you can easily demonstrate that with rice filled in a bottle. Let every kid apply force based on their capacity and learn friction. For more details Carrots are orange
• Leak-proof bag – If you fill water in a plastic bag with a hole, then will water stay. Obviously, the answer is no. But do you know this experiment will prove it wrong? Let kids fill water in a plastic bag and then make a hole with a pencil to see no water leak. For more details What do we do all day
• The Chaos and the Clutter are now showing a very quick and easy experiment with ice. How does ice melt faster than ever ? You know what my Tisha found this internet and made me do this at once. But trust me that was all fun.
• Now comes growing seeds and check NurtureStore to teach kids about growing pea and bean seeds . How they actually germinate. Let kids learn about plant formation from seeds.
• Rain inside a jar – It can now rain inside the jar. So make it rain and teach the water cycle. Yes, evaporation and condensation can be easily taught using this experiment. For more details, I can teach my child
• Dry ice and sublimation – Sublimation can be quickly taught with dry ice. The coldest ice creates smoke. But be careful and no let kids touch as it will damage the skin. For more details Tinker lab
• Potion making is loved by all kids and there is no exception and I swear that it gives immense happiness in exploring the reactions taking place chemically in a fun and playful way. Kids can try themselves is the additional bonus. Powol Packets do not have dearth to Love Potions Projects . Even at Buggy and Buddy, they do potions with extra foam and yes by adding liquids used to wash vessels in the kitchen.
• Underwater candle – It is possible to make a candle glow under water. It is a simple trick. See this experiment and candle glow and wax holds the water.For more details Youtube Candle Science Experiment
• Ornaments with salt – Salt is nothing but sodium chloride NaCl. Everyday kids eat this chemical and must learn about the science behind it. Let them make some ornaments with salt and as well understand about the chemical properties. Concept of baking and production of heat is also explained in this experiment. For more details The picky apple
• I Heart Crafty Things has posted a new idea for future scientist and here – making a butterfly with tissue papers are simple and even the flapping wings are shown using static electricity .
• Vinegar and baking soda make a wonderful combination and they are just fun to kids due to its fizzing sound. NurtureStore displays the best part made by her girls and these are glittering and fizzing plus looking great with molds that are heart-shaped (can anything else be more attractive for a Valentine party?). Buggy and Buddy showcase the ways in which adding  vinegar that is colorful along with pipettes  creating a bright and nice to look fizz work. Again Powol Packets have their work with innovation and their fizz are sparkling ready to explode .
• Elephants can now brush teeth – Have ever imagined elephants brushing teeth? It is fun to visualize. With this paste now elephants too can brush their teeth. Breaking down hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen is the science involved in this. For more details The preschool powol packets
• Acids and Bases – Use this red cabbage juice to teach kids about acid and base. You can take vinegar for acid and baking soda as a base. Mix them in a glass of cabbage juice to see how acids and bases react. For more details Steve Spangler
• Again Buggy and Buddy have presented a great activity with salt and oil. Here you can find the  density of water
• How does milk react with liquids used to wash vessel that contain lemon and food colors? Eager to know this yes you can find it at our place and we named it Swirling Milk . You can also see how Best Toys for Toddlers has named it Milk Marbling . And, another innovative name kept by Messy Little Monsters is  Magic Milk Fireworks . Irrespective of the name this experiment will surely win the heart of the toddlers.
• Dye on heat – This experiment will explain why dye works. How does it work? Get one coffee mug and markers to allow kids to write their names in a coffee mug. Teach them about heat and baking. For more details a beautiful mess
• Once again Buggy and Buddy have an experiment for kids that talks about exploring center for rocks which certainly encourage kids to learn about geology.
• Check out for wild carrots which are the Queen Anne’s Lace and these flowers grow in any place. At Fireflies and Mudpies, all kids become great artist painting them green, yellow and blue . Witness the same coloring activity with  chrysanthemums at the NurtureStore. (You can see them with gerberas  at our site also tried with numerous white colored flowers to demonstrate the color absorbing capacity .
• At the age of 3 and 4 kids will love the experiment walking water where the demonstration of capillary action and color mixing is really amazing. Here the colored water will move the paper up fighting gravity. Wow! Apple Green Cottage explains this in their site using a paper towel and glass jars . Also, you can see this experiment that uses cold and hot water along with different paper at Royal Baloo .
• Multicolored Celery – See this little girl carrying out an experiment with celery sticks. She demonstrates how celery color changes. Take two glass with water, one celery stick and dye colors for following this experiment. For more details Youtube celery

Want even EVEN more ideas?

Find more inspiring ideas on our page exclusive for kids aged 1-2 years – feel free to make some small changes and they will become workable to elder kids as well. (My kids repeat the same activities at different age and learn things per their knowledge at that age. Off course there is no dearth to the fun as well.)

Also, you can find activities for kids aged 5-6 years and click on that page. But remember to provide help to your kids as they need support.

Above all check them on the Pinterest board Fun Science for Kids

Let us know which experiment does your 3-4-year-old kids loved to do.

Please provide support to kids and never leave them alone. Ensure to stay with kids and allow them to do only the appropriate activity relevant to age and the skill set they have. Click  here  for more information.

45 Easy Science Experiments for Kids

Hello, STEM! These simple DIY activities can be done at home or in school.

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Imagine blowing the biggest bubbles imaginable — or even making bubbles within bubbles. Or sending vessels — rockets, tea bags, airplanes — soaring through the sky for impossible distances. Now imagine making things explode, or change colors, or reveal hidden messages with just a few simple mixtures.

First off, it's good to start them off with the scientific method. Give them a journal to record their observations, questions, hypotheses, experiments, results and conclusions. As always, safety counts: wear goggles and coats or aprons if need be (sometimes kids get a kick out of how scientific the protective gear makes them look), and always make sure that the kids are supervised when doing them. (Warning: Some of these are messy!)

These experiments are mostly designed for preschoolers through elementary schoolers — with a couple that are either demonstrations or better for older kids — but if you have a younger one, you can check out these 1-year-old learning activities , toddler learning activities and preschool/kindergarten learning activities , some of which also cover STEM subjects.

Floating Fish

Here's another one that deals with solubility and density.

• Draw the outline of a fish on the bottom of a glass plate or tray in dry-erase marker. Retrace your drawing to make sure all the lines are connected. Let dry for a minute or two.
• Fill the measuring cup with tap water. Place the pour spout just inside the corner of the dish and add water very slowly until it just covers the bottom. Be careful not to pour water directly onto your drawing or make splashes near it. The water will move toward your drawing, eventually surrounding it. Observe what happens. If the water splashes or it doesn’t work on your first try, empty the dish, erase the drawing with a paper towel, dry off the dish, and try again.
• Tilt the dish slightly from side to side. What happens? Jot it down.

The ink in dry erase markers is engineered to be slippery. It’s made with a chemical that causes it to easily release from surfaces. (Permanent markers are made with a chemical that makes the ink stick to surfaces, so be sure not to use these in your experiment!)

The easy-release ink lets go from a surface, but why does it float? There are two reasons. First, dry erase ink isn’t soluble, which means it won’t dissolve in water. Second, dry erase ink is less dense than the water, so it becomes buoyant, meaning it can float. When you tilt the dish, the fish moves around on the water’s surface.

From Good Housekeeping Amazing Science: 83 Hands-on S.T.E.A.M Experiments for Curious Kids! See more in the book »

Brush, Brush!

This one will really get them into brushing their teeth once they scientifically prove all the good things that toothpaste can do.

• Write on sticky notes: Soda 1, Soda 2, Juice 1, and Juice 2. Place them in a row on a counter.
• Fill two glasses halfway with brown soda and place behind the Soda 1 and Soda 2 sticky notes. Fill two glasses halfway with lemon juice and place behind the Juice 1 and Juice 2 sticky notes.
• Carefully place one egg in the bowl. Squeeze a big dollop — about one tablespoon — of toothpaste on top of the egg and gently rub the toothpaste all around with your hands until the egg is completely covered in a thick layer of toothpaste. Repeat with a second egg.
• Gently submerge the toothpaste-covered eggs into the liquids: one egg in the glass labeled Soda 1 and the other egg in the glass labeled Juice 1. Wash and dry your hands.
• Gently submerge the remaining eggs, without toothpaste on them, in the remaining glasses: one in the glass labeled Soda 2 and the other in the glass of juice labeled Juice 2. Wash and dry your hands. Leave the eggs in the glasses for 12 hours.
• After 12 hours, remove the eggs from the glasses of soda one at a time. Rinse them in cool water and pat them dry with the towel. Place each egg by the sticky note of the glass it was in. Are the eggs the same or different colors?
• Remove the eggs from the glasses of juice one at a time. Rinse them under the faucet and pat them dry. Place each egg by the sticky note of the glass it was in. Feel the eggs gently. Does one feel stronger or weaker than the other?
• Write down your observations in your science notebook.

The eggshells in this experiment represent the enamel (outer coating) on your teeth. Toothpaste cleans your teeth and prevents stains: it removes food and drink particles that are stuck on your teeth. Teeth can be stained easily by dark-colored liquids like cola, coffee or tea. The egg without toothpaste will be brown and discolored. The egg covered in toothpaste was protected from turning brown.

Toothpaste also protects your pearly whites from decay (breaking down). The egg without toothpaste left in the lemon juice was worn down and soft to the touch, while the egg that was protected with toothpaste is stronger. The lemon juice is acidic, and those acids broke down the shell just as acidic drinks can wear away your tooth enamel. When a tooth is worn down, a cavity can form more easily. But the fluoride in toothpaste mixes with your saliva to create a protective coating around your tooth enamel. It helps keep your teeth strong and cavity-free.

Grow an Avocado Tree

For an easy lesson in Earth Science, your family can grow an avocado tree from a pit. You can buy an AvoSeedo kit , or just peel the seed and suspend it over water with toothpicks.

Get the tutorial »

Milk Bottle Xylophone

No for an experiment in sound!

• Arrange six glass jars or bottles, all the same size with no lids, in a line. What will each jar sound like when you tap it with a spoon? Make a prediction, then tap each jar. Record your observations.
• Next, put water in each of the jars. Pour 1⁄4 cup (60 ml) of water into the first jar. Add 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of water to the second jar. Continue in 1⁄4-cup increments, adding 3⁄4 cup (180 ml) of water to the third jar, 1 cup (240 ml) of water to the fourth jar, 11⁄4 cups (300 ml) of water to the fifth jar, and 11⁄2 cups (360 ml) to the sixth jar. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to each jar.
• What will each jar sound like? Will they sound the same or different than when the container was empty? Will they sound the same or different from one another? Record your predictions.
• Tap each jar with a metal spoon. Write down your observations about each jar’s pitch (how high or low a sound is) in your notebook.

Sound waves are created by vibrations, which are back-and-forth movements that are repeated again and again. Pitch depends on the frequency of the waves — how many are created each second. A high pitch is created by high-frequency sound waves, and can sound squeaky. A low pitch is created by low-frequency sound waves, and sounds deep and booming.

When you tapped the jar, it vibrated. The vibrations traveled from the jar to the water to the air and eventually to your ears. The jars with more water had a low pitch. The sound waves vibrated more slowly because they had more water to travel through. The jars with less water had higher pitches. The sound waves vibrated faster because they had less water to travel through. A jar with no water in it makes the highest pitch because it has the least substance to travel through.

"Elephant Toothpaste"

Okay, elephants don't really brush with this stuff, which is made from a chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide, yeast, dish soap and a few other simple ingredients. But this experiment has a big "wow" factor since, when the substances are mixed, the "toothpaste" foams out of the bottle. You can use it to teach kids about catalysts and exothermic reactions.

Get the tutorial at Babble Dabble Do »

DIY Compass

Explore the way magnetism works, and how it affects everyday objects, by magnetizing a needle and making a DIY compass. You can even spin the compass in the water, and it'll end up pointing the right way again.

Get the tutorial at STEAM Powered Family »

Craft Stick Chain Reaction

Kids can learn about the differences between potential and kinetic energy with this chain reaction. It makes a big impact: Once the tension is released, the pom poms go flying through the air!

Get the the tutorial at Science Sparks »

Color-Changing Invisible Ink

Kids will feel like super-spies when they use this heatless method to reveal pictures or colors written with "invisible ink." You can try different acid/base combinations to see which one makes the most dramatic result.

Get the tutorial at Research Parent »

Paper Bridge

Get the engineering back into STEM with this activity, which challenges kids to create a paper bridge that's strong enough to hold as many pennies as possible. How can they manipulate the paper to make it sturdier? (Hint: Fold it!)

See the paper bridge tutorial at KidsActivities.com »

Challenge your little scientist to lift up an ice cube with just a piece of string. It's possible ... with a little salt to help. Salt melts the ice and lowers the freezing point of the ice cube, which absorbs the heat from the water around it, making the water cold enough to re-freeze around the string.

Get the tutorial at Playdough to Plato »

Marshmallow Catapult

Another lesson in potential and kinetic energy, kids will love sending mini marshmallows flying in the name of science. Change some of the variables and see how that affects the marshmallow's trajectory.

Get the tutorial at Hello, Wonderful »

Leaf Breathing

It's hard for kids to picture how plants and trees "breathe" through their leaves — until they see the bubbles appear on a leaf that's submerged in water. You can also teach them about photosynthesis by putting different leaves in different spots with varying levels of sunlight.

Get the tutorial at KC EDventures »

Hoop-and-Straw Airplane

We all remember how to fold those classic, triangular paper airplanes, but these hoop-and-straw airplanes fly way better (and straighter). Experiment by changing the length of the straw and the size of the hoops and see how it affects the flight.

Get the tutorial at Mombrite »

Film Canister Rocket

Blast off! You don't need jet fuel to make these rockets go, just Alka-Seltzer tablets and baking soda, but they'll be amazed when they achieve lift-off! (Note: If you can't find old film canisters, tubes of Airborne work, too.)

Get the tutorial at Raising Lifelong Learners »

Coin Inertia

Stack up about five or so coins on a piece of cardboard and place it over a glass of water. Then, flick the cardboard out from on top of the glass. Do the coins drop into the water, or ride with the cardboard? Due to inertia, they drop into the water — a very visual (and fun!) demonstration of Newton's First Law of Motion.

Get the tutorial at Engineering Emily »

Apple Oxidation

What works best for keeping an apple from turning brown? Test to find out! Slice up an apple, and let each slice soak in a different liquid. Then take them out, lay them on a tray, and check the brownness after three minutes, six minutes and so on. Not only does this test the properties of different liquids, it also helps students practice the scientific method if they create hypotheses about which liquids would be most effective.

Get the tutorial at Jennifer Findley »

RELATED: 50 Fun Activities for Kids Will Keep Them Entertained for Hours

Coffee Ground Fossils

By making a salt dough with coffee grounds and pressing various shapes into it (toy dinosaur feet, seashells), kids can get a better understanding of how fossils are made. If you poke a hole in the top before it dries, the kids can hang their "fossils" up in their rooms.

Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »

Chromatography Flowers

Chromatography is the process of separating a solution into different parts — like the pigments in the ink used in markers. If you draw stripes around a coffee filter, then fold it up and dip the tip in water, the water will travel up the filter and separate the marker ink into its different pigments (in cool patterns that you can display as a craft project). This family made the end-result even brighter by adding an LED circuit to the center.

Get the tutorial at Steam Powered Family »

Water Walking

You'll need six containers of water for this one: three with clear water, one with red food coloring, one with blue coloring, and one with yellow coloring. Arrange them in a circle, alternating colored and clear containers, and make bridges between the containers with folded paper towels. Your kids will be amazed to see the colored water "walk" over the bridges and into the clear containers, mixing colors, and giving them a first-hand look at the magic of capillarity.

Get the tutorial at Fun Learning for Kids »

Sunscreen Test

This experiment puts the A (art) in STEAM: Paint different designs on construction paper with different sunscreens, leave the papers out in the sun and compare the results. Then, hang your "conclusions" on your fridge.

Get the tutorial at Tonya Staab »

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

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42 Fun STEM Activities for 4 Year Olds (and Preschoolers)

Activities , Learning , Science | 0 comments

STEM activities are perfect for young kids because it combines learning with fun! Do you have a preschooler in your home? Try out some of these easy STEM activities for 4 year olds for some good educational fun.

Preschoolers are at the perfect age for STEM activities because they are old enough to follow simple directions, understand and think deeper about the world around them, and have a longer attention span than toddlers. 

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Using STEM Activities with Preschoolers

First, what does STEM mean? STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. You may also hear a similar acronym called STEAM. This one has an added A which stands for Art. 

The activities you’ll find below are a combination of STEM and STEAM activities. Art is important too!

Let’s look at each of the different aspects of STEM and what kinds of activities might be included in each one. 

Science includes many different subcategories such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology, environmental, botany, and more.

For preschoolers (which is 3-4 year olds), science is basically learning the basics of the world around them. 

They are learning how plants grow. About objects they see in the night sky. About all the different types of animals. How our actions affect the environment and simple science experiments.

This is the perfect time to take advantage of your child’s love of farm animals or dinosaurs! Use what they love as a jumping off point for learning. 

Don’t expect mastery at this point, but the beginning of understanding basic scientific concepts, exposure to vocabulary, and learning how to ask questions about what they see. 

Technology may seem like an abstract concept for some- and maybe when you think of technology you think of computers, video games, and screen time. 

While these are part of technology, there is a lot more to it. 

Technology for preschooler may look like beginning robotics, coding, and cause & effect. As well as learning the basics of using things like calculators, cameras, computers, etc. 

Engineering

Engineering may seem like something that is too advanced for preschoolers, but remember that everything is built on smaller ideas and concepts. 

Engineering for preschoolers is all about exploring how things are built, how things work, and problem solving.

Engineering for 4 year olds might look like building challenges with items such as legos, blocks, or random items from around the home or yard. It could be creating mazes or forts.

Basically giving them a potential problem and letting them figure out a way to solve it.

Math probably seems pretty self explanatory- we all know what math is, right?

But math in STEM activities is all about exploring numbers in a more hands-on way. There are no worksheets here!

They can explore concepts of addition and subtraction, measurement, patterns, and geometry. 

Even though art isn’t part of STEM, it is part of STEAM, so I thought I’d include it here as well. 

Art is an important part of building a creative mind. As you would expect, art includes things like painting, drawing, other creative mediums. 

How to Do STEM Activities With Your Child

First and foremost, STEM activities should be fun and engaging. Even if you explain nothing to your child about the activity they will still be able to critically look at what they are seeing and make connections. 

STEM activities should be hands-on. That means you may have to make some alterations to experiments to make them safe for little hands. 

You want to allow them as much control in the activities as possible. Let them measure, build, pour, mix, feel, etc. as much as possible. This means you might have to fight the urge to make things perfect- remember it’s more about the experience than anything else!

While doing the STEM activities with your preschooler, be sure to fight the urge to lecture, but do encourage discussions and observations. 

A big part of STEM for 4 year olds is learning how things work. This means encourage them to look closely at what is happening.

Ask open-ended questions like  what do you see? What is happening here? What do you smell?  As they get older they will eventually move on to writing their data down, but for now just get your preschooler used to observing.

Also encourage them to ask questions. You want them to be curious about WHY things are happening. WHY the experiment turned out the way it did.

There are no stupid questions, so encourage your child to ask whatever they want. And then encourage them to guess on the answer. This is the first step to learning to how to hypothesize and experiment using the scientific method.

Don’t know the answer to their questions? Do some research together!

And finally, kids love repetition. And, while it might annoy you to do things over and over again, it will help your preschooler solidify their understanding of STEM concepts. So do these STEM activities more than once- or as often as your preschooler wants!

42 STEM Activities for 4 Year Olds (and Preschoolers)

Now it’s time for the STEM activities! Below you will find all sorts of fun STEM (or STEAM) activities to do with your preschooler. 

Exploding Baking Soda and Vinegar Bags (a STEM Activity)

Make exploding baking soda and vinegar bags to teach chemistry to young kids!

Cicada Shell Sensory Activity for Nature-Loving Kids

Thrill your bug-loving preschooler with this cicada shell sensory activity to help them learn about cicadas!

How to Teach Kids About the Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Help kids learn about metamorphosis using real butterflies!

8 Fun Candy Corn Math Activities for Young Kids

Try these Candy Corn math activities for kids to make their Fall and Halloween math practice fun and exciting!

Oil and Water Sensory Bag for Science Exploration

Let your kids learn about oil and water with this oil and water sensory bag for mess free science fun!

How to Do a Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids (of All Ages!)

Go on nature scavenger hunt for a fun nature-filled activity for kids, and parents, of all ages!

Simple Acids and Bases Science Experiment to Do With Kids

Try this acid and base experiment to test household solutions and decided if they are acidic or basic!

Fun Chemical Reaction Experiment for Kids That Gives Off Heat!

Try this chemical reaction experiment that shows how chemical reactions produce heat!

How to Make Dancing Popcorn

Have fun learning chemistry with this fun dancing popcorn activity!

How to Create a Fun Baking Soda and Vinegar Sensory Play Tub

Make a baking soda and vinegar sensory play tub that will keep them engaged for hours!

Marbled Planet Craft: A Fun Way to Learn the Planets

Make beautiful swirled planets to help teach your children about space and learn the planets by name.

Simple Color Mixing Activity for Kids

Try this simple, hands-on color mixing activity to teach about primary and secondary colors!

7 Math Centered Candy Heart Activities for Young Kids

Make math fun this Valentine’s day by bring some candy hearts into your lessons! 

How to Make Fizzing Baking Soda Paint (a STEAM Activity)

Try making baking soda paints to combine science and art into a fun activity for all ages!

How to Make Glow in the Dark Slime!

Make your own glow in the dark slime!

Fun Fizzing Baking Soda Dinosaur Eggs STEM Activity

Try making these fizzing baking soda dinosaur eggs- and hatch them out with vinegar!

How to Have a Math Scavenger Hunt + Free Printable

Host a math scavenger hunt for the kids and make learning fun!

Fire Slime- A Simple Slime Recipe for Science Fun!

A simple slime recipe that kids can make on their own and learn a little science along the way!

How to Make the Best Paper Airplane for Long Flights

Paper airplanes use thinking skills and attention to detail. Plus they're fun to fly!

8+ Water Bead Activities for Hours of Sensory Fun

Experiment and explore with water beads!

More Simple STEM Activities for 4 Year Olds

Here are a few more simple preschool STEM activities to try with your kids: These encourage critical thinking and natural curiosity, plus they are tons of fun!

Coloring Flowers:  Place white flowers (like daisies or carnations) in vases filled with colored water. Watch the white petals change color!

Make Your Own Fossils:  Use homemade playdough or clay and make fossil prints of your tiny dinosaurs, shells, or other toys animals.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloons:  Blow up a balloon using the reaction between baking soda and vinegar! You can get the full instructions here: 7 Baking Soda and Vinegar STEM Activities for Kids

Make Rain in a Cup:  Fill a cup with 2/3 with water. Fill the rest of the way with shaving cream (this is your rain cloud). Drip blue food coloring on top the cream and watch it slowly rain down into the cup!

Magnet Exploration Tray:  Set up a tray with various magnets and metal pieces- and maybe some non metal objects as well. Let your child explore how the magnets work!

Make Rock Candy:  Learn about super saturated solutions and crystal making- and get something yummy to eat! Here’s a simple recipe: Rock Candy

Grow Crystal Snowflakes or Ornaments:  Make borax solution and place pipe cleaners molded into shapes in the solution, Watch the crystals grow! Here’s how: Borax Snowflakes . *Watch your child carefully around borax.

Pencils in a Bag:  Fill a ziploc bag halfway with water and zip close. Carefully poke sharp pencils through the bag all the way to the other side. Does the water spill out? How many pencils can you add before it leaks or pops?

The Lego Challenge:  Challenge your child to build something specific out of legos. Like a chair for a small stuffed animal, a bridge, or any other structure.

Marshmallows and Toothpicks:  Give your child a tray of mini-marshmallows and toothpicks and encourage them to build and explore. What shapes can they make?

Sink and Float Tub:  Give your child a tub of water (or just use the sink or bathtub) and collect various objects from around the house. Have them guess and test which will float and sink.

A Measuring Station: Give your child a variety of measuring devices- yard stick, ruler, measuring tape, etc. And explore measuring things- don’t forget to estimate the lengths and use things like your own hands or feet to measure too!

Non-Newtonian Fluid:  All you need is cornstarch and water and you have this fun goop to explore with. Is it solid? Is it liquid?

Plant a Garden (or Some Seeds):  Gardening is the best way to learn about the lifecycle of plants. Even if you can’t grow a big garden, plant some bean seeds, watch an avocado pit grow, or sprout some potatoes! Don’t forget to point out the different parts of plants!

Make Seed Bombs: Mix flower seeds in with clay and allow to dry. Throw them out in the yard and watch them grow!

Build a Volcano:  This old school activity is always a fun science experiment for kids! They just love building the volcano out of mud, dirt, or clay. And watching the baking soda and vinegar eruption!

Make Your Own Ice Cream in a Bag:  Get some cream, sugar, vanilla, rock salt, ice and some plastic bags and you can make ice cream! Here’s how: ice cream in a bag .

Walking Water Experiment:  Watch water “walk” from one place to another and learn about capillary action! All you need if food coloring, water, and paper towels. Here’s how to do it: Walking Water Experiment

Mentos and Coke Explosion: Similar to a volcano you can make a big chemical reaction by dropping mentos candy into a bottle of coke! Maybe you could experiment with other sodas as well!

Make a Balloon Rocket: Place a straw on a length of string. Stretch the string across the room and secure so that it is taut. Blow up a balloon- but don’t tie it. Tape the straw to the top of the balloon and let it go- how far will it travel across the string?

The Building Challenge:  Challenge your child to build something with uncommon building materials- such as plastic cups, rocks, paper, recyclables, etc. Let them explore and see how big or how high they can build. This is a simple STEM activity that builds problem solving skills. 

And finally don’t forget the biggest STEM activity of all: Play. Playtime is how preschoolers learn. So surround them with learning opportunities and open-ended toys. Here are some of my favorite:

• Magnetic Tiles for building
• REAL tools in kids sizes- give them some scrap wood, a hammer, nails, screws, screwdrivers, etc. 
• Doughs like playdough, kinetic sand, moon sand, etc. 
• Exploratory tools like magnifying glasses, microscopes, bug boxes, butterfly nets, etc. 
• Realistic animals

You want to give your child toys that can be used in many different ways to create and explore with!

Who Can Do These STEM Activities?

Even though the list of STEM activities is aimed for 4 year olds, really kids of all ages can have fun with these simple STEM projects. In general though, these activities will be good for kids preschool age to elementary school age. 

Just remember to tailor them to  your own child’s abilities. Kids don’t magically gain abilities when they pass their 3rd or 4th birthday- so some toddlers may be able to do these fun activities and some 4 year olds might not be ready for them.  But with a little alterations even 1 year olds and toddlers can enjoy many of these fun activities- so go ahead and involve the whole family!

Older kids may also want to participate. They will be able to understand deeper concepts than preschoolers and may be able to help explain things to younger siblings!

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 37 cool science experiments for kids to do at home.

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Are you looking for cool science experiments for kids at home or for class? We've got you covered! We've compiled a list of 37 of the best science experiments for kids that cover areas of science ranging from outer space to dinosaurs to chemical reactions. By doing these easy science experiments, kids will make their own blubber and see how polar bears stay warm, make a rain cloud in a jar to observe how weather changes, create a potato battery that'll really power a lightbulb, and more.

Below are 37 of the best science projects for kids to try. For each one we include a description of the experiment, which area(s) of science it teaches kids about, how difficult it is (easy/medium/hard), how messy it is (low/medium/high), and the materials you need to do the project. Note that experiments labelled "hard" are definitely still doable; they just require more materials or time than most of these other science experiments for kids.

#1: Insect Hotels

• Teaches Kids About: Zoology
• Difficulty Level: Medium
• Messiness Level: Medium

Insect hotels can be as simple (just a few sticks wrapped in a bundle) or as elaborate as you'd like, and they're a great way for kids to get creative making the hotel and then get rewarded by seeing who has moved into the home they built. After creating a hotel with hiding places for bugs, place it outside (near a garden is often a good spot), wait a few days, then check it to see who has occupied the "rooms." You can also use a bug ID book or app to try and identify the visitors.

• Materials Needed
• Shadow box or other box with multiple compartments
• Hot glue gun with glue
• Sticks, bark, small rocks, dried leaves, bits of yarn/wool, etc.

#2: DIY Lava Lamp

• Teaches Kids About: Chemical reactions
• Difficulty Level: Easy

In this quick and fun science experiment, kids will mix water, oil, food coloring, and antacid tablets to create their own (temporary) lava lamp . Oil and water don't mix easily, and the antacid tablets will cause the oil to form little globules that are dyed by the food coloring. Just add the ingredients together and you'll end up with a homemade lava lamp!

• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring
• Antacid tablets

#3: Magnetic Slime

• Teaches Kids About: Magnets
• Messiness Level: High (The slime is black and will slightly dye your fingers when you play with it, but it washes off easily.)

A step up from silly putty and Play-Doh, magnetic slime is fun to play with but also teaches kids about magnets and how they attract and repel each other. Some of the ingredients you aren't likely to have around the house, but they can all be purchased online. After mixing the ingredients together, you can use the neodymium magnet (regular magnets won't be strong enough) to make the magnetic slime move without touching it!

• Liquid starch
• Adhesive glue
• Iron oxide powder
• Neodymium (rare earth) magnet

#4: Baking Soda Volcanoes

• Teaches Kids About: Chemical reactions, earth science
• Difficulty Level: Easy-medium
• Messiness Level: High

Baking soda volcanoes are one of the classic science projects for kids, and they're also one of the most popular. It's hard to top the excitement of a volcano erupting inside your home. This experiment can also be as simple or in-depth as you like. For the eruption, all you need is baking soda and vinegar (dishwashing detergent adds some extra power to the eruption), but you can make the "volcano" as elaborate and lifelike as you wish.

• Baking soda
• Dishwashing detergent
• Large mason jar or soda bottle
• Playdough or aluminum foil to make the "volcano"
• Additional items to place around the volcano (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)

#5: Tornado in a Jar

• Teaches Kids About: Weather
• Messiness Level: Low

This is one of the quick and easy and science experiments for kids to teach them about weather. It only takes about five minutes and a few materials to set up, but once you have it ready you and your kids can create your own miniature tornado whose vortex you can see and the strength of which you can change depending on how quickly you swirl the jar.

• Glitter (optional)

#6: Colored Celery Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Plants

This celery science experiment is another classic science experiment that parents and teachers like because it's easy to do and gives kids a great visual understanding of how transpiration works and how plants get water and nutrients. Just place celery stalks in cups of colored water, wait at least a day, and you'll see the celery leaves take on the color of the water. This happens because celery stalks (like other plants) contain small capillaries that they use to transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.

• Celery stalks (can also use white flowers or pale-colored cabbage)

#7: Rain Cloud in a Jar

This experiment teaches kids about weather and lets them learn how clouds form by making their own rain cloud . This is definitely a science project that requires adult supervision since it uses boiling water as one of the ingredients, but once you pour the water into a glass jar, the experiment is fast and easy, and you'll be rewarded with a little cloud forming in the jar due to condensation.

• Glass jar with a lid
• Boiling water
• Aerosol hairspray

#8: Edible Rock Candy

• Teaches Kids About: Crystal formation

It takes about a week for the crystals of this rock candy experiment to form, but once they have you'll be able to eat the results! After creating a sugar solution, you'll fill jars with it and dangle strings in them that'll slowly become covered with the crystals. This experiment involves heating and pouring boiling water, so adult supervision is necessary, once that step is complete, even very young kids will be excited to watch crystals slowly form.

• Large saucepan
• Clothespins
• String or small skewers
• Candy flavoring (optional)

#9: Water Xylophone

• Teaches Kids About: Sound waves

With just some basic materials you can create your own musical instrument to teach kids about sound waves. In this water xylophone experiment , you'll fill glass jars with varying levels of water. Once they're all lined up, kids can hit the sides with wooden sticks and see how the itch differs depending on how much water is in the jar (more water=lower pitch, less water=higher pitch). This is because sound waves travel differently depending on how full the jars are with water.

• Wooden sticks/skewers

#10: Blood Model in a Jar

• Teaches Kids About: Human biology

This blood model experiment is a great way to get kids to visual what their blood looks like and how complicated it really is. Each ingredient represents a different component of blood (plasma, platelets, red blood cells, etc.), so you just add a certain amount of each to the jar, swirl it around a bit, and you have a model of what your blood looks like.

• Empty jar or bottle
• Red cinnamon candies
• Marshmallows or dry white lima beans
• White sprinkles

#11: Potato Battery

• Teaches Kids About: Electricity
• Difficulty Level: Hard

Did you know that a simple potato can produce enough energy to keep a light bulb lit for over a month? You can create a simple potato battery to show kids. There are kits that provide all the necessary materials and how to set it up, but if you don't purchase one of these it can be a bit trickier to gather everything you need and assemble it correctly. Once it's set though, you'll have your own farm grown battery!

• Fresh potato
• Galvanized nail
• Copper coin

#12: Homemade Pulley

• Teaches Kids About: Simple machines

This science activity requires some materials you may not already have, but once you've gotten them, the homemade pulley takes only a few minutes to set up, and you can leave the pulley up for your kids to play with all year round. This pulley is best set up outside, but can also be done indoors.

• Clothesline
• 2 clothesline pulleys

#13: Light Refraction

• Teaches Kids About: Light

This light refraction experiment takes only a few minutes to set up and uses basic materials, but it's a great way to show kids how light travels. You'll draw two arrows on a sticky note, stick it to the wall, then fill a clear water bottle with water. As you move the water bottle in front of the arrows, the arrows will appear to change the direction they're pointing. This is because of the refraction that occurs when light passes through materials like water and plastic.

• Sticky note
• Transparent water bottle

#14: Nature Journaling

• Teaches Kids About: Ecology, scientific observation

A nature journal is a great way to encourage kids to be creative and really pay attention to what's going on around them. All you need is a blank journal (you can buy one or make your own) along with something to write with. Then just go outside and encourage your children to write or draw what they notice. This could include descriptions of animals they see, tracings of leaves, a drawing of a beautiful flower, etc. Encourage your kids to ask questions about what they observe (Why do birds need to build nests? Why is this flower so brightly colored?) and explain to them that scientists collect research by doing exactly what they're doing now.

• Blank journal or notebook
• Pens/pencils/crayons/markers
• Tape or glue for adding items to the journal

#15: DIY Solar Oven

• Teaches Kids About: Solar energy

This homemade solar oven definitely requires some adult help to set up, but after it's ready you'll have your own mini oven that uses energy from the sun to make s'mores or melt cheese on pizza. While the food is cooking, you can explain to kids how the oven uses the sun's rays to heat the food.

• Aluminum foil
• Knife or box cutter
• Permanent marker
• Plastic cling wrap
• Black construction paper

#16: Animal Blubber Simulation

• Teaches Kids About: Ecology, zoology

If your kids are curious about how animals like polar bears and seals stay warm in polar climates, you can go beyond just explaining it to them; you can actually have them make some of their own blubber and test it out. After you've filled up a large bowl with ice water and let it sit for a few minutes to get really cold, have your kids dip a bare hand in and see how many seconds they can last before their hand gets too cold. Next, coat one of their fingers in shortening and repeat the experiment. Your child will notice that, with the shortening acting like a protective layer of blubber, they don't feel the cold water nearly as much.

• Bowl of ice water

#17: Static Electricity Butterfly

This experiment is a great way for young kids to learn about static electricity, and it's more fun and visual than just having them rub balloons against their heads. First you'll create a butterfly, using thick paper (such as cardstock) for the body and tissue paper for the wings. Then, blow up the balloon, have the kids rub it against their head for a few seconds, then move the balloon to just above the butterfly's wings. The wings will move towards the balloon due to static electricity, and it'll look like the butterfly is flying.

• Tissue paper
• Thick paper
• Glue stick/glue

#18: Edible Double Helix

• Teaches Kids About: Genetics

If your kids are learning about genetics, you can do this edible double helix craft to show them how DNA is formed, what its different parts are, and what it looks like. The licorice will form the sides or backbone of the DNA and each color of marshmallow will represent one of the four chemical bases. Kids will be able to see that only certain chemical bases pair with each other.

• 2 pieces of licorice
• 12 toothpicks
• Small marshmallows in 4 colors (9 of each color)
• 5 paperclips

#19: Leak-Proof Bag

• Teaches Kids About: Molecules, plastics

This is an easy experiment that'll appeal to kids of a variety of ages. Just take a zip-lock bag, fill it about ⅔ of the way with water, and close the top. Next, poke a few sharp objects (like bamboo skewers or sharp pencils) through one end and out the other. At this point you may want to dangle the bag above your child's head, but no need to worry about spills because the bag won't leak? Why not? It's because the plastic used to make zip-lock bags is made of polymers, or long chains of molecules that'll quickly join back together when they're forced apart.

• Zip-lock bags
• Objects with sharp ends (pencils, bamboo skewers, etc.)

#20: How Do Leaves Breathe?

• Teaches Kids About: Plant science

It takes a few hours to see the results of this leaf experiment , but it couldn't be easier to set up, and kids will love to see a leaf actually "breathing." Just get a large-ish leaf, place it in a bowl (glass works best so you can see everything) filled with water, place a small rock on the leaf to weigh it down, and leave it somewhere sunny. Come back in a few hours and you'll see little bubbles in the water created when the leaf releases the oxygen it created during photosynthesis.

• Large bowl (preferably glass)
• Magnifying glass (optional)

#21: Popsicle Stick Catapults

Kids will love shooting pom poms out of these homemade popsicle stick catapults . After assembling the catapults out of popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and plastic spoons, they're ready to launch pom poms or other lightweight objects. To teach kids about simple machines, you can ask them about how they think the catapults work, what they should do to make the pom poms go a farther/shorter distance, and how the catapult could be made more powerful.

• Popsicle sticks
• Rubber bands
• Plastic spoons
• Paint (optional)

#22: Elephant Toothpaste

You won't want to do this experiment near anything that's difficult to clean (outside may be best), but kids will love seeing this " elephant toothpaste " crazily overflowing the bottle and oozing everywhere. Pour the hydrogen peroxide, food coloring, and dishwashing soap into the bottle, and in the cup mix the yeast packet with some warm water for about 30 seconds. Then, add the yeast mixture to the bottle, stand back, and watch the solution become a massive foamy mixture that pours out of the bottle! The "toothpaste" is formed when the yeast removed the oxygen bubbles from the hydrogen peroxide which created foam. This is an exothermic reaction, and it creates heat as well as foam (you can have kids notice that the bottle became warm as the reaction occurred).

• Clean 16-oz soda bottle
• 6% solution of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 packet of dry yeast
• Dishwashing soap

#23: How Do Penguins Stay Dry?

Penguins, and many other birds, have special oil-producing glands that coat their feathers with a protective layer that causes water to slide right off them, keeping them warm and dry. You can demonstrate this to kids with this penguin craft by having them color a picture of a penguin with crayons, then spraying the picture with water. The wax from the crayons will have created a protective layer like the oil actual birds coat themselves with, and the paper won't absorb the water.

• Penguin image (included in link)
• Spray bottle
• Blue food coloring (optional)

#24: Rock Weathering Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Geology

This mechanical weathering experiment teaches kids why and how rocks break down or erode. Take two pieces of clay, form them into balls, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Then, leave one out while placing the other in the freezer overnight. The next day, unwrap and compare them. You can repeat freezing the one piece of clay every night for several days to see how much more cracked and weathered it gets than the piece of clay that wasn't frozen. It may even begin to crumble. This weathering also happens to rocks when they are subjected to extreme temperatures, and it's one of the causes of erosion.

• Plastic wrap

#25: Saltwater Density

• Teaches Kids About: Water density

For this saltwater density experiment , you'll fill four clear glasses with water, then add salt to one glass, sugar to one glass, and baking soda to one glass, leaving one glass with just water. Then, float small plastic pieces or grapes in each of the glasses and observe whether they float or not. Saltwater is denser than freshwater, which means some objects may float in saltwater that would sink in freshwater. You can use this experiment to teach kids about the ocean and other bodies of saltwater, such as the Dead Sea, which is so salty people can easily float on top of it.

• Four clear glasses
• Lightweight plastic objects or small grapes

#26: Starburst Rock Cycle

With just a package of Starbursts and a few other materials, you can create models of each of the three rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Sedimentary "rocks" will be created by pressing thin layers of Starbursts together, metamorphic by heating and pressing Starbursts, and igneous by applying high levels of heat to the Starbursts. Kids will learn how different types of rocks are forms and how the three rock types look different from each other.

• Toaster oven

#27: Inertia Wagon Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Inertia

This simple experiment teaches kids about inertia (as well as the importance of seatbelts!). Take a small wagon, fill it with a tall stack of books, then have one of your children pull it around then stop abruptly. They won't be able to suddenly stop the wagon without the stack of books falling. You can have the kids predict which direction they think the books will fall and explain that this happens because of inertia, or Newton's first law.

• Stack of books

#28: Dinosaur Tracks

• Teaches Kids About: Paleontology

How are some dinosaur tracks still visible millions of years later? By mixing together several ingredients, you'll get a claylike mixture you can press your hands/feet or dinosaur models into to make dinosaur track imprints . The mixture will harden and the imprints will remain, showing kids how dinosaur (and early human) tracks can stay in rock for such a long period of time.

• Used coffee grounds
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin

#29: Sidewalk Constellations

• Teaches Kids About: Astronomy

If you do this sidewalk constellation craft , you'll be able to see the Big Dipper and Orion's Belt in the daylight. On the sidewalk, have kids draw the lines of constellations (using constellation diagrams for guidance) and place stones where the stars are. You can then look at astronomy charts to see where the constellations they drew will be in the sky.

• Sidewalk chalk
• Small stones
• Diagrams of constellations

#30: Lung Model

By building a lung model , you can teach kids about respiration and how their lungs work. After cutting off the bottom of a plastic bottle, you'll stretch a balloon around the opened end and insert another balloon through the mouth of the bottle. You'll then push a straw through the neck of the bottle and secure it with a rubber band and play dough. By blowing into the straw, the balloons will inflate then deflate, similar to how our lungs work.

• Plastic bottle
• Rubber band

#31: Homemade Dinosaur Bones

By mixing just flour, salt, and water, you'll create a basic salt dough that'll harden when baked. You can use this dough to make homemade dinosaur bones and teach kids about paleontology. You can use books or diagrams to learn how different dinosaur bones were shaped, and you can even bury the bones in a sandpit or something similar and then excavate them the way real paleontologists do.

• Images of dinosaur bones

#32: Clay and Toothpick Molecules

There are many variations on homemade molecule science crafts . This one uses clay and toothpicks, although gumdrops or even small pieces of fruit like grapes can be used in place of clay. Roll the clay into balls and use molecule diagrams to attach the clay to toothpicks in the shape of the molecules. Kids can make numerous types of molecules and learn how atoms bond together to form molecules.

• Clay or gumdrops (in four colors)
• Diagrams of molecules

#33: Articulated Hand Model

By creating an articulated hand model , you can teach kids about bones, joints, and how our hands are able to move in many ways and accomplish so many different tasks. After creating a hand out of thin foam, kids will cut straws to represent the different bones in the hand and glue them to the fingers of the hand models. You'll then thread yarn (which represents tendons) through the straws, stabilize the model with a chopstick or other small stick, and end up with a hand model that moves and bends the way actual human hands do.

• Straws (paper work best)
• Twine or yarn

#34: Solar Energy Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Solar energy, light rays

This solar energy science experiment will teach kids about solar energy and how different colors absorb different amounts of energy. In a sunny spot outside, place six colored pieces of paper next to each other, and place an ice cube in the middle of each paper. Then, observe how quickly each of the ice cubes melt. The ice cube on the black piece of paper will melt fastest since black absorbs the most light (all the light ray colors), while the ice cube on the white paper will melt slowest since white absorbs the least light (it instead reflects light). You can then explain why certain colors look the way they do. (Colors besides black and white absorb all light except for the one ray color they reflect; this is the color they appear to us.)

• 6 squares of differently colored paper/cardstock (must include black paper and white paper)

#35: How to Make Lightning

• Teaches Kids About: Electricity, weather

You don't need a storm to see lightning; you can actually create your own lightning at home . For younger kids this experiment requires adult help and supervision. You'll stick a thumbtack through the bottom of an aluminum tray, then stick the pencil eraser to the pushpin. You'll then rub the piece of wool over the aluminum tray, and then set the tray on the Styrofoam, where it'll create a small spark/tiny bolt of lightning!

• Pencil with eraser
• Aluminum tray or pie tin
• Styrofoam tray

#36: Tie-Dyed Milk

• Teaches Kids About: Surface tension

For this magic milk experiment , partly fill a shallow dish with milk, then add a one drop of each food coloring color to different parts of the milk. The food coloring will mostly stay where you placed it. Next, carefully add one drop of dish soap to the middle of the milk. It'll cause the food coloring to stream through the milk and away from the dish soap. This is because the dish soap breaks up the surface tension of the milk by dissolving the milk's fat molecules.

• Shallow dish
• Milk (high-fat works best)

#37: How Do Stalactites Form?

Have you ever gone into a cave and seen huge stalactites hanging from the top of the cave? Stalactites are formed by dripping water. The water is filled with particles which slowly accumulate and harden over the years, forming stalactites. You can recreate that process with this stalactite experiment . By mixing a baking soda solution, dipping a piece of wool yarn in the jar and running it to another jar, you'll be able to observe baking soda particles forming and hardening along the yarn, similar to how stalactites grow.

• Safety pins
• 2 glass jars

Summary: Cool Science Experiments for Kids

Any one of these simple science experiments for kids can get children learning and excited about science. You can choose a science experiment based on your child's specific interest or what they're currently learning about, or you can do an experiment on an entirely new topic to expand their learning and teach them about a new area of science. From easy science experiments for kids to the more challenging ones, these will all help kids have fun and learn more about science.

What's Next?

Are you also interested in pipe cleaner crafts for kids? We have a guide to some of the best pipe cleaner crafts to try!

Looking for multiple different slime recipes? We tell you how to make slimes without borax and without glue as well as how to craft the ultimate super slime .

Want to learn more about clouds? Learn how to identify every cloud in the sky with our guide to the 10 types of clouds .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa) .

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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72 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the Rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Candy Crystals

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Layered Water

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Explosion

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a balloon rocket

Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: DIY Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Glitter Germs

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Model Lungs

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Parachute Drop

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

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30 Amazing Science Activities for Preschoolers

From science experiments to sensory explorations to STEM and STEAM activities, these science activities for preschoolers are sure to be a hit!

Science Experiments for Preschoolers

If you are looking for simple science experiments and activities to do with preschoolers, then this list is perfect for you.

Your kids are sure to have a blast exploring science!

My kids love science investigations so I am making a point of doing more of them. To get myself started, I decided create a collection of my favorite science activities.

Since I know many of you are also looking for science experiments and activities to do with preschoolers, I decided to share them here for you too.

If you are looking for science activities for preschoolers, this is going to be a HUGE help to you.

Top 30 Science Activities for Preschoolers

Lava Lamp Experiment

This lava lamp experiment is a HUGE hit with kids. It is one of our most popular science activities. I bet your kids will enjoy it too!

Leak-Proof Bag Science Experiment

Want to really WOW your kids? Try out this leak-proof bag science experiment . It’s like a magic trick, but it’s really science!

Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

Make a rain cloud in a jar and develop fine motor skills too! This science activity allows young children to explore and investigate what happens when it rains.

Oil and Water Science Exploration

This oil and water science exploration is a fun and colorful way to observe how oil and water don’t mix together.

Fun and Colorful Skittles Rainbow Experiment

Grab some Skittles and water and make a Skittles rainbow for a fun and colorful surprise!

Magic Milk Experiment

Kids will be amazed by this Magic Milk Science Experiment !

Clouds and Rain Science Investigation

Explore clouds and rain with a simple science investigation that will totally engage young kids.

Color Changing Flowers Experiment

Dye flowers a variety of colors with this Color Changing Flowers Experiment .

Rust Resistant Magnetic Discovery Bottle

This Rust Resistant Magnetic Discovery Bottle  is a super cool way to explore magnetism.

Explore Colors with fun Chemical Reactions

This science activity encourages kids to explore colors with chemical reactions . It’s also a great way to develop fine motor skills.

Fun Weather Activity

This weather activity  combines a popular book and a classic experiment to introduce kids to tornadoes.

Learn about Animal Habitats

Teach kids about animal habitats while Sorting Animals on a Venn Diagram . It’s really easy to set up and even toddlers can participate.

Walking Water Science Experiment

This awesome Walking Water Science Experiment  will wow kids all of ages!

Learn about Water Density

Make a Rainbow Jar  and introduce young children to density. It’s really neat.

Dancing Raisins are a Blast

The kids will get a kick out of this super cool dancing raisins science experiment !

Water Xylophone Fun

This Water Xylophone Science Experiment  combines music and science. It’s easy enough for your kids to make too.

Dancing Rice Investigation

Amaze your kids with Dancing Rice ! This baking soda and vinegar investigation is very intriguing.

Shaving Cream Clouds

These shaving cream clouds are so gorgeous! I can’t wait to do this one!

Inflate a Balloon with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Did you know that you can inflate a balloon with baking soda and vinegar ? You have to try this one!

Solar System Scavenger Hunt

My kids absolutely love this Solar System Scavenger Hunt ! It’s a fun way to introduce preschoolers to the solar system and planets within it.

More Lava Lamp Fun

Your kids will love this super cool Lava Lamp Science Experiment .

Zones of the Ocean Sensory Bottle

Introduce preschoolers to the Zones of the Ocean  with these engaging sensory bottles!

Make a Pully to learn about Machines

Make a pulley and teach kids about simple machines with this activity that will have kids moving and learning!

Growing Plants Science Activity

This Growing Plants Science Activity  is a fantastic way to teach kids about plants! It even includes a observation sheet that is easy enough for preschoolers to use. (not pictured)

Explore Ramps and Friction

Explore ramps and friction with this super simple science activity for kids!

Ocean in a Bottle

This ocean in a bottle looks amazing! It is a great way to explore oil and water.

Dinosaur Excavation Activity

Did you know you can make your own dinosaur excavation activity and only use two simple ingredients that you probably have in your house? It’s really cool!

Static Electricity Butterfly Experiment

This static electricity butterfly experiment is so neat. It’s very easy to make and you’ll be surprised by how long this will occupy your kids.

Fun Preschool Science Activities

Baking Soda and Vinegar Reactions

My kids absolutely love baking soda and vinegar reactions ! This post will tell you how to get really amazing reactions.

Explore what Melts

Explore what melts in the sun with this fun science experiment. It’s perfect for a warm, sunny day.

Water Cycle in a Bag

Teach kids about the water cycle with this Water Cycle in a Bag ! It’s perfect for young children.

Lego Volcano

Kids will have a blast building a LEGO Volcano and watching it erupt.

Oobleck Recipe

This oobleck recipe is a fun and easy science activity for kids! You just need 2 ingredients and your kids will be ready for lots of fun sensory play!

Keep Paper Dry under Water

Our kids loved this simple keep paper dry under water science experiment. They were amazed when the paper didn’t even get wet!

Grow a Rainbow Science Experiment

This Grow a Rainbow science experiment was a blast! It is a simple way for young kids to learn about capillary action!

Catapult STEM Activity

This catapult activity is a fun and easy STEM activity that your kids will love!

Fireworks in a Jar

Your kids will love seeing the Fireworks in a Jar reactions in this easy experiment!

Floating Dry Erase Marker

This  floating dry erase marker  science activity is easy and fun! You just need dry erase markers and water!

Dancing Corn Science Activity

This dancing corn science activity  is quick to setup and you just need a few ingredients you can find around your house.

32 Cool Science Experiments for Kids (that are Fun AND Easy!)

Do you ever want to do science experiments at home with your kids, but you’re not quite sure what to do? Not just any old kitchen science experiment will do – you want something cooler than vinegar + bicarb soda! But, you also want something simple and easy to do – because no-one wants a huge mess from their kids doing crazy science experiments at home!

We understand, and that’s why the writing team here at STEM Geek has put our heads together to come up with the most awesome at-home science experiments for kids! As science enthusiasts and educators, we also wanted to make sure that these are genuine science learning opportunities. So not only are they captivating for the kids, but we also emphasize what questions can be asked as kids explore and apply the scientific method! Plus, we’ve arranged them according to how much time they take: up to 1 hour, 1 to several hours, and long-term.

Related Post: Ultimate Boredom Buster: 101 Things To Do When Kids Are Bored

Science Experiments at Home that take Less than 1 Hour

1. tie-dye milk.

Sounds delicious, right? You’re not actually drinking it, but instead watching science magic happens when you combine dish soap with milk and food coloring. This is a very pretty experiment that draws the focus and mind into what’s happening on the plate, and all because of a little chemistry with everyday items. Well, food dye may not be an everyday item, but it might be after your kids get a hold of this!

So, what’s going on here, scientifically-speaking? Milk is made up of two major ingredients: water and fat. When you add a little dish soap, it bonds with the fat in the milk so strongly that it literally pushes the food coloring and water away from the cotton ball. On a microscopic level, the dish soap is wandering around the milk, which causes the colors to swirl and swirl.

Questions to ask beforehand:

• Before knowing what will happen to the food coloring, ask the kids what they think will happen when dish soap mixes with milk.
• Since the major catalyst is fat in the milk, what would happen if you used other types of milk: Skim milk, soy milk, coconut milk?

You’ll need:

• Round cake pan or plate with high edges
• Cotton ball (some tutorials show cotton swabs)
• Dish detergent
• Different colors of food dye (three or four should do)

Procedure/Instructions:

• Fill the pan halfway with milk.
• Drip one color of food dye in one section of the plate away from the center. Four to five drops works and later you can play around with more or less. Do the same for the rest of the colors around the plate.
• Soak the cotton ball in dish detergent, and when you’re ready for action, place the cotton ball into the center of the pan.
• Watch the colors racing around, creating a psychedelic tie-dye effect!
• You can add more cotton balls throughout the dish to see more action.
• If some food coloring hugs the wall of the plate, take a cotton swab dipped in dish detergent and place it into the food coloring. It will move away!

2. Saturn’s Glowing Rings

I don’t know about you, but I love everything about space. This experiment shows you how Saturn’s rings are made of rocks and ice chunks even though they look so smooth in pictures. You’ll also see why there are big gaps in the rings. Younger kids take delight in using a flashlight and sprinkling powder, while older kids can get more specific with questions about Saturn and how the rocks and ice stay in orbit.

• Do Saturn’s rings give off their own light?
• Why are some rocks and ice chunks more lit up than others?
• Compare the results of light sprinkles to thicker sprinkles.
• Strong flashlight
• Powder (flour, baby powder, etc) in a shaker
• Very dark room
• Darken a room and set the flashlight on the edge of a table or counter, pointing it at a blank wall. Lay the newspaper on the floor between the flashlight and the wall.
• Turn on the flashlight and notice where the light comes from the flashlight and where it hits the wall. You should only see the light from these two places and not from the space between them. This shows you that the light travels through the air without being seen until it hits the wall. The light represents the sun’s light.
• Now to see how Saturn’s rings glow: Hold the powder shaker and sprinkle some powder over the beam of light where you know the light is traveling. You’ll notice the powder lights up and sparkles in the beam of light. The powder shows in glowing clumps, just like in Saturn’s rings.

3. Breaking Down Colors

We all know that the fun, vibrant colors we see in our lives are created by mixing the basic red, yellow, and blue. In this experiment, you and your child will learn which colors make up those fun shades they have in their art supplies. This also teaches some basic chemistry and uses materials you already have at home. It can be done very simply and expanded to create a large-scale investigation if you love it.

• Which colors separate out first?
• Is the same order for each test?
• Which colors make up the original shade?
• Do the different types of color (pen, pencil, paint) separate in the same way or differently?
• Are some separated in a shorter space are the colors the same mixture?
• Coffee filters
• Color sources (markers, colored pencils, paint, etc.)
• A plain pencil
• To complete this experiment, cut the coffee filters into strips, mark one end with a line the same distance from the bottom on each strip.
• Color in each strip (between the bottom and line) with your colors, and write at the top what the color and source are (e.g., purple marker).
• Place each strip in a glass and help it to stand up by folding the top over a pencil (a chopstick, table knife, or any long narrow object will also work) so that it stands up in the glass.
• Fill the glass up to the top of your colored block, and wait. The water will move up the filter, and the colors will separate out as it goes.
• Remove the strip once the water gets near the top of the strip to stop the experiment. 

To make this a true experiment, we recommend testing multiple colors and using markers, colored pencils, and paint (as some starting examples). You could test the same colors from each type of art supply to investigate whether they all use the same mix of basic colors to create the same end product.

This post has a nice full description of the methods if you need more detail.

4. Water Xylophone

This simple experiment will teach your child about sound and pitch using glasses, water, and something to act as a mallet. Don’t let the simplicity deceive you, there are a lot of ways to experiment and learn through this process, and it also brings in an element of music that makes it interesting and engaging.

• Do you think more water makes the sound higher or lower in pitch?
• How do you think the shape or size of the glass will affect the sound?
• How should we arrange the glasses to play a simple song?
• Do you think this will work with a plastic cup, why or why not?
• Some glasses
• Something wood to act as a mallet (we recommend wood so you don’t break the glasses!)
• A great way to start is with glasses that are the same size, shape, and material, and filling them with different amounts of water.
• Have your child use the mallet to test how the amount of water affects the sound.
• From there, it’s a really simple extension to use different sized and shaped glasses (or any glass vessel like jars and bowls) to experiment with how the shape, size, and amount of water in the glass affect the tone. 

To take this one further and really bring in the musical component, you and your child could work out a simple song and create the right tones to play it. If you or your child are musical, you could get very elaborate and creative (try googling harry potter or star wars theme songs on glasses, there are so many options that I couldn’t even choose one)!

5. Ultimate Bottle Flipping

Ah, bottle flipping. The fad that kids can’t get enough of, but parents are well and truly over. The constant thud of semi-filled water bottles being tossed (and hopefully landing upright) is guaranteed to send parents around the twist!

If you can stand it for a bit longer though, there’s a lot of STEM knowledge to be gained in this bottle flipping experiment. As we know, the aim of bottle flipping is to flip a partially filled water bottle underhand and get it to land upright.

In this experiment, kids will learn the importance of observing a result multiple times before changing a variable (the amount of water in the bottle).

• How much water should you put in the bottle?
• What is the ideal amount of liquid to get the perfect flip?
• What should be the ideal amount of water?
• Was their prediction correct?
• Why do they think the amount of water affects the chances of landing the bottle?
• A plastic water bottle
• Measuring jug
• Paper to record results
• Get the kids to start by flipping their bottle with no water in it at all. Kidspot recommends flipping it 50 times for each step, but you could do less if you need to.
• Try it again with 50ml of water.
• Keep adding more water until the bottle is full.

If they’re keen, you could try other types or sizes of bottles, or even try different liquids to see if that affects the results!

6. Rainbow in a Jar

This simple science experiment is not only very visually appealing, but it’s also a great way to learn about the density of liquids. Warning though, this one could get messy so make sure kids are in some old clothes and you might want to take it outside! I like this experiment because you’ll probably have most of the materials in your kitchen already!

• Which liquids they think will be heaviest?
• Which ones will be lightest?
• Why do they think that?
• A glass jar
• Food coloring
• Various liquids like honey, corn syrup, dishwashing liquid, olive oil, rubbing alcohol and water.
• Use the food coloring to make all your liquids a different color. A dropper comes in handy here, but if you don’t have one you can manage without.
• Slowly add each liquid to the jar (pouring into the middle of the jar is best).
• Soon, you’ll have different layers of colored liquid forming your very own rainbow in a jar.

You might even get them to draw a diagram of what they think the jar will look like at the end. They can compare this with the experiment results to see if their prediction was correct.

It might also help to talk to your kids first about what density is and how materials are all made of different amounts of molecules. The more molecules a liquid has, the heavier it will be. Playdough to Plato demonstrates a great way of introducing this concept using marbles. 

7. Write Your Own Secret Messages! 

We love science experiments that are made up primarily of supplies that you likely already have in your home.

• Why do you think this will work?
• Which liquid do you think will make the best secret message?
• Why do people write secret messages?
• Juice (eg. Lemon)
• Lamp (or anything else that can be used as a heat source)
• In order to complete this experiment, you’ll need to gather all of your supplies along with a piece of paper, some q-tips, and a lamp or other item that you can use as a heat source.
• Next, you’ll mix your lemon juice with a slight amount of water. 
• Using your q-tip, use the mixture you’ve created to begin writing your message. 
• Allow it to dry. 
• Once dry, apply heat to it in order to get your message to appear.

Extend this project by attempting to write with a juice and water mixture, a milk and water mixture, or any other variation of the liquids we listed as necessary supplies!

8. Create Your Own Butterfly

Your little ones will love practicing their color mixing by creating their very own coffee filter butterflies. Hang them in the windows of your home to spread some cheer and to watch the sun flow through their beautiful wings! 

• What colors can mix together to make other colors?
• How do butterflies fly?
• What do you think will happen when we add water to the markers?
• Water spray bottle
• Allow your child to draw on the coffee filter to their heart’s content.
• Spray it with water and allow the colors to mix together.
• Allow it to dry thoroughly.
• Once dry, fold it like a fan and then clip it in the middle.

Ta-da, you’ve created a beautiful butterfly! 

9. Make A Duck Call

Give your family an excuse to head outdoors by allowing your children to craft their own duck calls. Test them out at a local pond and see if you can get the ducks to come closer to you for a healthy veggie snack! 

• Do you think ducks will be able to hear us with this?
• What other materials do you think could make this noise?
• How is what we have created similar to a duck’s beak?
• Plastic straw
• Push down on the straw to flatten one end and then cut the flattened end into a point.
• Flatten out your straw and then blow into it.
• Feel free to experiment with different amounts of flattening and different point shapes to see how you can adjust the sound.
• When finished, take your duck call into the wild to test it out.

10. Make Ivory Soap Boats

Did you ever carve items out of soap at camp when you were a child? Give your child the same opportunity. Soap can be carved using safe items, like plastic knives. 

• Why are we able to carve soap so easily?
• Do you think our boats float?
• Why do you think they float or sink?
• Carving tools (for kids)
• Allow your child to express their creative side by carving their boat out of soap. 
• Once they have finished carving it, allow them to test them out in the bathtub. . Extend their learning by discussing density with them–the soap floats because it is less dense than the water.

11. Make Your Own Quicksand 

As John Mullaney famously said, “I thought quicksand would be a much bigger problem in my adult life than it would have turned out.” For some reason, quicksand permeates children’s adventure stories – and their imaginations! 

• Where can we find quicksand in real life?
• How do you think quicksand works?
• What do you think we will need to make our own quicksand?
• Cornflower (one cup)
• Water (half cup)
• A container
• To make your quicksand, you’ll need to mix the cornflour and water. 
• Be sure to stir slowly in order to demonstrate – if you stir too quickly, it will become hard and you won’t be able to see it function the way it should!

12. Make Your Own Lava Lamp

We’ve tried this one in our classrooms, and trust us, our kids go wild year after year. Kids love making something that they can use as home decoration, and they love how easy it is to show new people – this is the experiment that lives on and on! 

• How do you think density is involved in this experiment?
• Why don’t the water and oil mix?
• Why can’t we shake our lava lamps?
• Clear Plastic Bottle
• Vegetable Oil
• Food Coloring
• Alka-Seltzer
• Pour water into the plastic bottle until it is approximately one quarter full. 
• Then pour vegetable oil in until the bottle is almost completely filled. 
• Allow some time for the oil and water to separate. 
• It is important that your children do not shake the bottle in this step. It will extend the experiment for no other reason than you waiting for the bubbles to dissipate. 
• Add as much food coloring as your child deems fit and then drop a piece of Alka-seltzer tablet into the bottle for the lava lamp fun to begin.

13. Guess the Smell

This one will take a little more prep work, but it’s a great touchstone for your children to begin discussing one of their five senses: the sense of smell! 

• What are examples of times we use our sense of smell?
• What other senses do we have?
• If you could only use one sense for the rest of your life, which one?
• Plastic Cups
• Smells (eg. coffee, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice)
• Place a variety of common smells in small plastic cups. We like to use coffee, cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon juice. 
• Pour these in and place tin foil securely over the top of the cup. 
• Poke small holes in the top of the foil. 
• Secure the foil with tape (on the sides, not over the holes). 
• Allow your children to guess the smells and record their findings on paper.

Home Science Experiments that take 1 to Several Hours

14. mangrove bioshield  .

Ecologists and conservationists are pushing for more regulations in building and saving mangrove forests around coastal areas. The reason is represented in this STEM activity. The trees act as a mangrove BioShield (bio = life, shield = protection), showing how natural obstacles can prevent critical damage from marine natural disasters such as tsunamis.

The mangrove BioShield can be for older elementary kids through to high school. Obviously, the younger they are, the more parent involvement. This experiment is done twice to show the effects of having and not having a BioShield. The first part uses little to no trees, and the second uses a forest of trees and rocks.

• What will happen in a tsunami if the village is without a BioShield? And the village with a BioShield?
• Would a BioShield help with hurricanes?
• Would you want to encourage people to save manatee forests if they are beneficial?
• Medium to large clear, plastic container
• Newspaper – wad into balls, then cover half of the bottom container – this help to keep the ground sturdy
• Mud – cover the newspaper and press it in to form a slope down to the empty side of the container. The top side should be flattened for the cardboard houses, then it slopes down into the empty half of the container.
• Cardboard houses (use the bottoms of milk cartons for the house and popsicle sticks for the roofs, place houses on the mud towards the top of the high slope
• Model trees or leafy stems from plants – Different amounts for activity 1 and activity 2
• Several small rocks
• Cardboard – long enough to fit across the container and tall enough to hold it from out of the water
• Water – enough to go halfway up the slope

A tsunami without the mangrove forest – insert only one or two trees down the slope. Place the cardboard piece into the water end of the container and move back and forth to create waves. Notice how easy it is for the water to destroy the village you’ve created.

Repeat the process of constructing the village, but this time insert a lot of trees down the slope to where the water meets the mud. They need to be deeply rooted like mangroves, and I’ve found that aquarium plants work well for this reason. Place the rocks within the mangrove forest and in front of the trees. Add a little bit more water. Insert the cardboard again and move it back and forth to create waves.  

15. A Greater Crater

When you look at the night sky and see the moon, one of the first things you notice is its craters. The moon is completely covered in them, and some are so large we can see them from Earth. Meteorites often make the craters that we see when they hit the surface, but it makes us wonder why some craters are so much bigger than others.

This experiment will help you to investigate one of the main reasons why craters come in different sizes.

• What causes craters?
• How big do the meteorites have to be to make a crater?
• What is it about the meteorite that causes the size of the crater?
• Paper to record your results
• Flat floor surface for the experiment, large enough for the newspaper to cover
• Shallow metal pan at least 2 inches deep
• Flour to fill 2 inches of the pan
• ¼ cup hot chocolate powder
• Mesh strainer or flour sifter
• Large marble (and others of varying sizes if comparing results)
• Metric ruler
• Tongs or long tweezers
• Pour the flour into the pan until it reaches 2 inches. Place the pan on top of the newspaper on a level surface.
• Sift a layer of hot chocolate powder over the flour (this is so you can better see the rays and other features of the craters).
• You will be dropping your marble from three different heights, then comparing the sizes of the craters. Measure the diameter (side to side) of the marble and record this on your paper as Marble 1. Hypothesize how large the crater will be and write that next to the diameter of Marble 1.
• Stand next to your pan and hold the marble at knee height above the flour. Drop the marble (do not throw it, just let it fall from your fingers) into the flour and study the shape of the crater. Look for a rim around the crater or any rays coming from the edges.
• Measure across the widest part of your crater, from rim to rim and record on your data sheet as Marble 1 – Knee Height – Width or something similar. You can also draw a picture of your results.
• Very gently use the tongs or long tweezers to remove the marble without destroying the crater.
• Repeat this procedure from waist height, shoulder height, top of head height. Make sure you aim in different parts of the flour so you don’t land on top of another crater. Record all of your results as the different heights you’re using.
• Compare your results.
• You can try again with a different sized marble as “Marble 2” to compare those results with each height as done with Marble 1.

Perhaps now, you’ll look at the moon a little differently!

16. Rube Goldberg Chain Reaction Machine

We’ve all seen them, some pretty far-out there chain reaction machines to complete simple tasks, usually in movies. But they are real , and are becoming even more popular now that we’re all stuck at home for a while. This is a fun way to explore physics with stuff you have at home.

Ask your child to decide what the end goal is (e.g. get the ball into the cup), and ask them to think about creative ways to make it get there. Working together, you can start with small pieces of a circuit to find out how your ball reacts to the set-up, and grow it from there. You can even refer to this video for more ideas:

• What will happen when the ball bounces off of this wall?
• How will these dominoes change the speed of the ball?
• What can we use to make sure that the ball goes in the direction we want it to at this point?
• What should we put here to get the best bounce? 
• Paper towel
• Toilet paper tubes
• Fixed objects like walls or furniture
• Any other toys and materials that can be used to build your circuit

To make this a true experiment, it needs to include more than a one-off demonstration, and there are a lot of ways to accomplish this.

• Set up parallel courses and use different sized or weighted balls to go through the circuit.
• Set up one elaborate circuit and use different objects one at a time.
• Set up circuits in different ways to see how different set-ups affect your end goal.

Another experimental component is the process used to create a circuit that reaches your end goal ( like this video about getting the ball into the cup, but you could come up with lots of other endpoints!). Along the way, you and your child get a lot of time to learn about momentum, velocity, friction, energy transfer, and interference (e.g., the cat). 

17. Melting

This is a simple and fun experiment that can be set up in a short time and then fill-up your day with observations and new experiments. Using only things you already have at home, you can set-up an engaging experiment with your kids!

Ice melts at different rates depending on a variety of factors including temperature, pressure, and if there are impurities (think salt, sugar, dirt) in the ice or touching the ice. There is a lot of opportunities to get creative and do the experiment in multiple ways, keeping your kids engaged and developing their investigative, experimental, and critical thinking skills.

• Which ice melts the fastest, slowest, and if they have any guesses about why?
• What other ice-melting experiments they think would be fun: Using different temperature liquids? Using different amounts of ice? Different sized cups?
• Lots of ice
• Several matching cups (i.e., they are the same size, shape, and color)
• Measuring cups
• A variety of liquids for the test
• Paper for writing down observations
• Measure the same amount of ice and place it in each cup.
• M easure equal amounts of each liquid and place them in the cups: try to complete this part quickly so that the ice in each cup is in liquid for as close the same amount of time as possible.
• Set up your cups in a place that is easy for your child to watch and observe.
• Ask them to check in at regular intervals (every 15 minutes, every hour) and record or talk to you about their observations.

Other potential experimental examples:

• Using different liquids to test if they affect melting time;
• Using the same liquid and placing ice in different locations to test what conditions throughout your home affect melting;
• Test if different amounts of ice melt at different rates;
• Test if different kinds of cups change melting time.

There are endless possibilities for you to come up with new ways to complete these simple experiments. You get the idea. Explore more!

18. Breathing Leaves

Science experiments don’t get much more simple than this one!  It’s effective though and kids will enjoy watching their leaf ‘breathe’. Learning about plant science is often tricky because it can seem a bit abstract. This experiment allows kids to see the process of plants making oxygen right before their eyes!

A question to ask beforehand:

• What do you think will happen if we leave it for a few hours?
• A fresh leaf from a tree
• A bowl of water
• Pluck a fresh leaf from a tree and place it in a bowl of water.
• Use a rock to weigh it down and leave the experiment out in the sun.
• Have your kids predict what they think they will see when they come back in a few hours (they can write their prediction down or draw a diagram if that’s more their style).
• After a few hours, your kids will see lots of tiny little bubbles on the edge of the leaf and in the glass bowl of water (use a magnifying glass to get a closer look if you have one).

So, what’s happening here? Leaves take in carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen during photosynthesis. The bubbles you can see are the leaf releasing the oxygen it’s created. You could explain to your kids how trees and plants make the oxygen we need to breathe. Kids Fun Science explains this experiment in more detail and suggests taking it further by leaving the plant for a longer period of time (do you see more or fewer bubbles?) or placing a leaf in a dark area to see what difference that makes!

19. How Does Sunscreen Work?

If there’s one thing I know, it’s that kids hate wearing sunscreen! Trying to get it on them is like wrestling a crocodile. Maybe if they knew how sunscreen worked they’d understand how important it is to wear it when they’re out in the sun (and be slightly more cooperative when we’re lathering it over their little faces). This is a simple experiment that shows kids the difference wearing sunscreen will make to their skin.

• What do they observe when they come back?
• Why do they think one side faded and the other not?
• A piece of colored cardboard (a dark color would be best)
• Your usual bottle of sunscreen
• Have your kids smear the sunscreen over one part of the cardboard and leave the other part clear.
• Kids can then predict what they think will happen when they return to the experiment after a few hours.
• Talk to them about how the sun’s UV radiation is absorbed by the sunscreen so it can’t get through to damage the cardboard.

You could even take it further by trying different kinds of sunscreen or leaving your cardboard out during different times of the day.

20. Make A Rubber Egg

Imagine a world in which eggs can be used like bouncy balls. Well, with a couple of home supplies and a little bit of science, you can live in that world. Your child will be dazzled as they remove eggshells from eggs while leaving the insides intact. 

• Is vinegar an acid or a base?
• Is there another substance that could do this?
• Simply leave the egg in the vinegar for a few hours and wait to see what happens. Because of the transformative nature of this experiment, it lends itself to science journaling. 
• Consider having your kiddos draw before and after pictures of the eggs in order to track their journeys. 

21. Flying Tea Bags

Nothing will get your kids’ attention faster than telling them that you are going to spend some time creating something that will fly. However, because this experiment will involve fire, please ensure that you select a time in which you will be able to provide ample adult supervision. 

• How do we stay safe with fire?
• How do we make sure we don’t damage the surface we are working on?
• Why do you think the tea bag will fly?
• Single Serving Tea Bags
• A Small Bowl
• A Non-Flammable Work Surface
• First, open the tea bags and unfold them. 
• Empty the leaves from the bag. 
• Stand the tea bags up on your surface and light the top of each bag on fire. 

As they begin to burn, they will float into the sky! 

22. Make Wax Paper Lanterns

Your children will love the chance to display their fantastic art skills by creating these paper lanterns. If you want to add a culture lesson, have your children research German’s St. Martin’s Day and learn about why children parade through the streets with lanterns. We promise there’s a good moral story involved here! 

• When could we use lanterns?
• What safety considerations do we need to use in this project?
• Why can we see the light through the wax paper?
• Popsicle Sticks
• To begin, tear a ten-inch piece of wax paper off of the roll and cut it in half. 
• After that, fold each piece in half. 
• Allow your child to color their image on top of the wax paper. (This is a great place for an impromptu lesson in color mixing). 
• Fold the wax paper and iron it (consider something in between the crayon mess and the iron you use on your clothes). 
• Finally, glue the craft sticks into squares, add the wax paper, and turn it into a cube.

Voila, you’ve created your own lantern!

23. Create an Insect Habitat

Alright, this one isn’t for the faint of heart. Draw up your courage and send your child into the backyard to collect all of the creepy crawlies they’d like to.

Now you have a home for them. Better yet, you can keep your child entertained for hours as they track the growth of their bug friends.

• What do bugs need to survive?
• What do bugs eat?
• What is the difference between a need and a want?
• Imagination
• Find something that you’re willing to sacrifice to the bugs in order to create a habitat for them – we recommend a shadowbox so that your child can see inside, but a cardboard box will do just fine as well. 
• Ensure that there is breathing room for the bugs. 
• Create a habitat with sticks, bark, small rocks, dried leaves, and whatever else you can find.
• If you’re willing to hang onto the habitat long enough, use it as an opportunity to talk about decomposition as the bugs begin to break down the twigs.

Long-Term Science Experiments at Home

24. crystal kingdom.

This is the oldest trick in the book, but it’s popular because it’s so effective, fun, and has great results. The only drawback to most crystal-growing recipes is that they take ages to grow, and to be quite honest this one is no exception. In fact, these crystals will take several days to grow but the end result is worth it. The reason is that this experiment involves growing a whole landscape of beautifully colored salt and bluing crystals. Here’s a video for visual reference: 

A few things to keep in mind: Allow for plenty of air circulation, preferably inside rather than outside. Ammonia is not necessary but does help in the process.

• What will happen when you add ammonia?
• Why does more salt and less liquid create faster crystallization?
• What part does the bluing solution have in crystal growing?

(Answers can be found here )

• Two bottles of bluing solution
• Large tray/cookie sheets with sides
• Measuring cup
• Liquid watercolors
• Eye droppers
• Cut sponges into large pieces. Spread them out on the tray.
• Measure out 1 cup of each of salt, water, and bluing and then gently mix together.
• Evenly coat or sprinkle the mix over the sponges.
• Add 1 cup of ammonia to the sponges.
• Coat an extra 1 cup of salt on to the sponges.
• By now you’ll see some crystals growing . Sprinkle the magic mix again: 1 cup each of salt, water, and bluing. You can pour the ingredients onto the tray instead of on top of the crystals to keep them from breaking. Don’t worry, more will grow!
• Take an eyedropper, and drop a tablespoon of each liquid watercolor (undiluted) in different patterns over the sponges and crystals.
• Take note of your garden and what the crystal formations look like. You can make a sketch in your notebook as a before and after. Ask questions and observe!
• Observe how the crystals are bigger than before, and notice the colors aren’t as vibrant. Compare the differences in shapes, sizes, and colors.
• If you want more crystals to grow, add a little more water, bluing, and salt.

25. Blow up a Balloon with Yeast

We are surrounded by science in action, but sometimes it is really difficult to see what is happening, especially when it is on a small-scale. When we make bread, yeast ‘eats’ the sugars in the food and creates CO2, giving bread its airy texture. This experiment lets you both visualize what happens when yeast consumes sugar and is a great set-up for an experiment that can be observed throughout the day.

Depending on your supplies and time, you could start with a demonstration and use that to think of other tests, or you could set up several parallel tests at the same time.

• How quickly does the balloon filled with air?
• When does it stop filling (at some point the yeast will run out of food and will stop making gas)?
• Does the starting temperature affect the experiment?
• Does the balloon fill faster in different places in your home (try especially for different air-temperatures, you could include an outside location)?
• Some balloons
• Blow up the balloon a few times before starting so that it’s loosened up a bit.
• Fill the bottle with about 1 inch of warm water (heat is required to activate the yeast, but you could experiment with different temperatures), add the yeast and swirl to dissolve.
• Add the sugar and swirl more.
• Place the balloon over the opening to the bottle and wait. You should expect to see the balloon begin to inflate after around 20 minutes.
• Continue checking and observing how much the balloon inflates throughout the day.

More example experimental setups include:

• Do different temperatures – either with the water you start with or the air the yeast lives in – affect how quickly the balloon blows-up?
• Does using 2x the yeast result in a balloon that is 2x bigger, or blows-up 2x faster?
• Do different types of sugar (e.g., white sugar, honey, syrup, flour) affect how quickly the balloon blows up or how big it gets?

A sk your child to think of new experiments (you could prompt with some of the examples above, or ideas from this post ). 

26. Seed Germination

A really simple but fun multi-day experiment is germinating seeds under different conditions. This means finding some quick-sprouting seeds such as beans and putting them in different conditions to see how that affects germination (sprouting leaves and roots) and growth.

I love using seed experiments because they are inexpensive, simple, and leave a ton of room for creating your own unique experiment.

• Which seed will sprout fastest?
• Seeds (Beans, radishes, squashes, and many flowers sprout quickly from large seeds, making them good choices.)
• Small pots or paper cups
• Potting soil
• Cloth or paper towel
• Somewhere with good light
• To get started, you’ll need some seeds – feel free to choose something you already have, if you’re a gardener you might have some seeds ready for the coming season and could spare a few – or find something online or at your local nursery.
• Use small pots or paper cups and fill each with your growth material (we recommend a minimum of 3 for a useful comparison).
• Fill one with potting soil, one with sand, and one with a cloth or paper towel.
• Place them somewhere with good light, and add water.
• Ask your child to predict which seed will sprout fastest, and make observations every day. If possible, make them around the same time each day.
• Once you see growth, you can ask your child what they think caused any differences, and you can use that as a jumping-off point for more experiments

Additionally, you could:

• Use one type of seed and different types of growth media: soil, paper towel, gravel, sand, water, etc.
• You could use different seeds (beans, flowers, grass, herbs) and grow them under the same conditions (soil, water, sun exposure) to see how different plants grow differently.
• You could see how different light conditions (by a window, in the basement, in a bright room away from a window, etc.) affect germination.

You could also extend each experiment by simply continuing to grow each seed to learn whether the different germination time affects long-term growth (you may want to re-pot everything in the soil for this to be effective, depending on the specifics of your initial experiment).

27. Colored Celery

It’s hard to imagine plants having little capillaries inside them that transport water and nutrients, but this experiment shows that in action. It’s easy to set up, but you’ll have to wait at least a day to see some results. Your kids will be able to see how transpiration takes place and plants absorb water from the soil all the way up into their leaves.

• A few stalks of celery (celery works best for this because it’s a bit more visible, but you could also use flower stems)
• Different food coloring
• Place each stalk in a cup of colored water and make your predictions about what will happen.
• After a day or so you’ll see the celery leaves becoming the color of the water they’re standing in.
• Have your kids describe their observations (they can write down what they see or draw it if they prefer).
• If you look at the base of the stem you’ll also see tiny little holes that the colored water is traveling through.

When you’re done with the experiment, make sure you snap the celery and look inside – you should be able to see the capillaries in action. For more ideas, Little Bins for Little Hands has got some great hints and tips for this experiment.

28. Moldy Bread

This experiment is an oldie, but a goodie! Kids love looking at disgusting things and this one will certainly come up with the goods. Not only will kids learn about how mold grows, but they might also take on some lessons about the importance of washing their hands!

You might want to check out the results of this experiment at Science Alert before you start to see if your stomach is up to it.

• A few slices of bread
• Some ziplock bags
• Sticky little hands. 
• Get a few slices of bread and lay them out on your kitchen bench.
• Have your kids touch one piece of bread with dirty, unwashed hands.
• They can wash their hands with soap and water and touch another slice, then do the same using hand sanitizer.
• Leave one piece of bread untouched.
• Place them all in clear, labeled ziplock bags and predict which one will grow the most mold.
• Leave your bread slices for at least a week (it may take a bit longer, depending on the conditions where you live) and get the kids to record their observations.

You can also try wiping your bread slices on other surfaces to see what moldy results you get (their laptop or tablet is a great place to start)!

29. Sprouting Beans

Give your household a real survivalist feel by beginning an indoor garden. We recommend planting your beans in a clear cup so that your children can be privy to all of the processes during the plant’s journey.

• How does a plant grow?
• What does germination mean?
• What is in season to grow in our area now?
• Unprocessed Beans
• If you’d like your child to see every step of the process, consider placing the beans inside of a damp paper towel inside of a ziplock. 
• You can wait, see the germinated seed together, and then plant it inside of a small cup.
• Once inside the cup, watch it grow.

Extend your work by planting various beans and altering the growth conditions in order see what makes your beans grow best! 

30. Begin Composting

Begin your “go green” resolutions by teaching your child the value of composting! Best of all, once the science experiment is done, your family will have a recycling process that will last your entire lifetimes. 

• Why is composting important?
• How else can our household go green?
• Why do we need a foundation layer for compost?
• Compost Bin
• Organic Material
• First, create a compost bin. You can purchase one or build one out of wood. 
• To begin your composting, you’ll need even amounts of brown materials (think shredded paper, dryer lint, etc.) and green materials (think fruit and vegetable waste, lawn clippings, etc.). 
• If you’re really feeling fancy, throw some earthworms in there.

For days to come, your family will be able to discuss what can and cannot be broken down by the decomposers inside of the compost bin. Never-ending science! 

31. Turn Grapes Into Raisins

Your kids may or may not eat raising – but we can guarantee you, they’ve likely never considered the option of creating their own! 

• What other snacks can we make with science?
• Should we ever eat our experiments?
• How does this work?
• For this experiment, you’ll need grapes. (Really, that’s it!) 

Leave your grapes somewhere where they will not be disturbed and use this as an opportunity for your children to journal the changes in the grapes from day to day. Believe it or not, this type of sequential journaling is a valuable literacy skill! 

32. DIY Science Experiment

The best science experiment your child can engage in is the one they create themselves! Begin brainstorming a list of questions and let the world be their oyster as they plan and carry out their own experiments. Some of our favorite brainstorming questions, from Scholastic’s Science-Fair Project Guide, are listed below:

• What is the effect of toothpaste brand on teeth-cleaning power?
• What brand of trash bag can withstand the most weight before ripping?
• How does the type of material affect how long a shirt takes to dry?

Written by Miranda Altice, Kaitlin Anselmo, Mark Coster, Allison Ebbets, and Jodie Magrath.

Mark is the driving force behind STEM Geek. With 20 years of experience in chemistry education and research, and 3 willing children as guinea pigs, Mark has a passion for inspiring kids and adults to combine fun and learning with STEM Toys!

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Science Fun

Science Experiments for Kids:

Science experiments you can do at home!  Explore an ever growing list of hundreds of fun and easy science experiments. Have fun trying these experiments at home or use them for science fair project ideas. Explore experiments by category, newest experiments, most popular experiments, easy at home experiments, or simply scroll down this page for tons of awesome experiment ideas!

Making A Volcano:

Acids and Bases Can Erupt in Your Faces

Orange Fizz:

Awesome Experiments:

New Experiments:

Check Out Our Newest Experiments

Top Experiments:

Easy Experiments:

Storm In A Glass:

Home Made Play Dough:

Snow Fluff:

Snow Globe:

Squishy Turkeys:

Rainbow in a Glass:

Sizzlin’ Snowballs:

Jello Lenses:

Ice Fishing:

Super Cool Soda:

Jack-O-Cano:

Dancing Hearts:

Marbled Gift Wrap:

Massive Expanding Soap:

Surface Tension Art:

Fizzy Fruit:

Rotting Pumpkin:

Explode A Bag:

Invisible Extinguisher:

Paper Hovercrafts:

Fun Fossil Stamps:

Cool Crystals:

Balloon Pop! Not!

Solar Eclipse Kit:

Moldy Apples:

Cool Off Volcanoes:

Vinegar Pops:

Make It Rain:

Black Light Blue Beverage:

Changing of the Leaves:

Snowflakes:

Water Fireworks:

Mind of a Student:

Balloon Speakers:

Polar Bear Blubber:

Gorgeous Gooey Gobstoppers:

Olympic Medals:

Dyed Flowers:

Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away Gauge:

Blossoming Beans:

Butter Fingers:

Polishing Pennies:

Dancing Liquid:

Floating Egg:

Bendy Bones:

Pot Of Gold:

Layers of Liquids:

Crystal Candy:

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Fun and Easy Science Experiments for 4-Year-Olds: Sparking Curiosity at Home!

We know that nurturing your child’s inquisitive nature is incredibly important, and what better way to do it than through engaging and hands-on science experiments? Buckle up, because we’re about to explore the best science experiments for your little explorers that will not only provide hours of entertainment but also sneakily teach them valuable lessons about the world around them.

Experiment #1: Rainbow Magic with Milk and Food Coloring

*Materials Needed:* – A shallow dish or plate – Whole milk (preferably at room temperature) – Food coloring (an assortment of colors) – Dishwashing liquid – A cotton swab

**What to Do:** 1. Pour a thin layer of milk into the dish. 2. Add a few drops of different food colors in various spots on the milk’s surface. 3. Dip the cotton swab into some dishwashing liquid. 4. Gently touch the milk’s surface with the soapy cotton swab and watch the magic unfold!

*Why It’s Awesome:* This experiment introduces the concept of surface tension and how soap molecules break it, creating a mesmerizing display of colors. Plus, it’s like creating your own mini rainbow!

Steve Spangler SCIENCE

Experiment #2: Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

*Materials Needed:* – An empty plastic bottle – Baking soda – Vinegar – Dish soap – Red food coloring (optional) – A small container or funnel – Playdough (for volcano construction)

**What to Do:** 1. Create a volcano shape around the bottle using playdough. 2. Place a few spoonfuls of baking soda into the bottle. 3. Add a few drops of dish soap and red food coloring (if desired). 4. Pour vinegar into the bottle using a container or funnel.

*Why It’s Awesome:* This classic experiment creates an exciting volcanic eruption, teaching kids about chemical reactions. It’s messy fun that’s sure to amaze your little scientists!

Experiment #3: Walking Water

*Materials Needed:* – Three clear glasses – Water – Food coloring (red and blue) – Paper towels

**What to Do:** 1. Fill one glass with water and add red food coloring. 2. Fill another glass with water and add blue food coloring. 3. Leave the third glass empty. 4. Place one end of a paper towel in the glass with red water and the other end in the empty glass. 5. Repeat the process with the glass of blue water and the empty glass. 6. Watch as the colors magically “walk” up the paper towels and mix in the empty glass!

*Why It’s Awesome:* This experiment showcases capillary action and helps kids understand how water moves through materials. It’s a visually captivating demonstration of science in action!

FUN LEARNING for kids

Experiment #4: Balloon-Powered Car

*Materials Needed:* – A plastic bottle with a cap – A balloon – A bendy straw – Four bottle caps – Tape – Scissors

**What to Do:** 1. Cut the top part of the bottle off, leaving a cylindrical shape. 2. Attach the bendy straw to the bottle cap. 3. Secure the balloon to the open end of the straw. 4. Place the bottle caps on the bottom of the bottle as wheels. 5. Blow up the balloon, cap it, and place the car on a smooth surface. 6. Release the air from the balloon and watch your car zoom away!

*Why It’s Awesome:* This experiment combines engineering and physics, teaching kids about stored energy and propulsion. Plus, it’s a blast to watch your homemade car go!

These science experiments are fantastic ways to engage your 4-year-olds’ curiosity and introduce them to basic scientific concepts. They’ll have a blast while learning about surface tension, chemical reactions, capillary action, and even a bit of physics. And remember, after all the excitement, you can easily use Yipes! wipes to clean up those little hands and faces, ensuring a mess-free and healthy post-experiment experience.

So, grab your lab coats (or aprons) and get ready to embark on some thrilling science adventures with your little ones! Science has never been this much fun!

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10 of the BEST Science Experiments for Kids

May 28, 2021 By Emma Vanstone 1 Comment

Here at Science Sparks, we’ve tried a lot of science experiments over the years; some have been brilliant on the first go, some have taken a LOT of tweaking, and some have been a complete disaster! Most have been great fun, whatever the outcome. To save you and your budding scientist the disasters, I’ve put together a list of the BEST science experiments for kids !

The BEST Science Experiments for Kids

1. mini baking soda rocket.

Up first is my mini baking soda powered rocket . A fun way to do this activity is to split it into two parts.

Design the Rocket

It needs to stand up with a gap between where the cork fits and the floor. Remember not to add too many decorations or it will be too heavy.

Launch the Rocket

Experiment with different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to find the best rocket fuel !

The rocket must be placed on a hard surface to launch.

2. Skittles Experiment

If you haven’t tried the good old skittles experiment, where HAVE you been?

Pour water over Skittles on a plate and watch as the colours dissolve from the candy into the water.

Investigate using different temperatures of water and even different types of sweets. If you have any Skittles left over at the end, another idea is to try some candy chromatography .

3. Elephants Toothpaste

Babble Dabble Do has the most amazing version of this explosive science activity. Elephant toothpaste is always fun!

4. Colour Changing Potions

Everyone loves a fizzy potion, but it’s even better if you can get it to change colour!

If you use red cabbage indicator juice as the base liquid for a traditional baking soda and vinegar potion , it will change colour as it reacts.

5. Chromatography

Chromatography is a visual way to separate the different dyes in inks. All you need is some non-washable felt tip pens, filter paper and water. It’s a brilliant colourful science investigation for kids .

A fun twist on this activity is to use candy instead of felt-tip pens. Watch as the candy colours separate as they travel up the filter paper.

6. Create a Chain Reaction or Rube Goldberg Machine

A Rube Goldberg machine uses the principle of a chain reaction to achieve an end goal. Examples are popping a balloon or delivering an item to someone.

7. Lolly Stick Explosion

A craft or lolly stick explosion is a fantastic group activity or science demonstration.

They take some time to set up but are worth the effort.

Oobleck is made from cornflour and water . It’s called a Non-Newtonian liquid as it feels solid when you squish it between your fingers but turns back into a liquid when the pressure is released.

9. Absorbing with Sugar Cubes

This activity uses sugar cubes to learn about absorption and properties of materials , especially whether they are waterproof or not.

The idea is to build a tower of sugar cubes and test different materials to see which can save the higher cubes. It’s a lovely visual, hands-on experiment.

10. Bouncy Egg

Do you know how to make an egg bounce ?

First, you need to remove the shell by soaking the egg in vinegar. This leaves just the membrane behind. Once you’ve washed off the shell, you can bounce the egg.

Take care with this one, as eventually, the egg will break!

What do you think? Have I missed any? What would you add to the list? Perhaps a mento geyser ?

More of the best science experiments for kids

Make dry erase pictures float with The Best Ideas for Kids.

Create a lens with jello and Science Fun.

Make a bouncy ball with The 36th Avenue , and then find out why balls bounce !

Set up a colourful fizzy rainbow with Messy Little Monster.

Make water travel down a string with Rookie Parenting.

Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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November 09, 2022 at 4:15 pm

Love the experiments! I really want to try one!

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Easy Physics Experiments For Kids

Physics is fun, and these easy physics experiments are perfectly fun physics science experiments for kids; you can even do them at home or with groups in the classroom. Whether you are exploring laws of motion, sound waves, or light, physics is everywhere! Make sure to check out all of our science experiments for all year-round learning and play.

What Is Physics for Kids?

Physics is, most simply put, the study of matter and energy and the interaction between the two .

Physics is like the rulebook of the universe. It helps us understand how everything around us works, from tiny atoms to the vastness of space. When we study physics, we learn about motion (like why things move), forces (like pushes and pulls), energy (what makes things happen), electricity, magnetism, and more. It’s like solving puzzles about how the world functions.

Kids can learn more about the world around them through fun physics experiments like the ones below and deep thinking!

Try this Physics Project:

Physics Experiments By Topic

If studying a specific physics topic, check out these additional resources below. Each topic includes easy-to-understand information, everyday examples, and additional hands-on activities and experiments for you to use.

• Static Electricity
• Potential and Kinetic Energy
• Simple Machines
• Capillary Action
• Surface Tension

Click here to get your FREE Physics Activity Guide!

You will love these neat physics project ideas we have to share with you. I handpick my selections based on what I think my son would enjoy, what supplies are needed, and what amount of time needs to be dedicated to each activity.

💡 Click on each link for the full descriptions of each experiment and activity.

AIR PRESSURE CAN EXPERIMENT

Learn about atmospheric pressure with this incredible can crusher experiment. 

AIR RESISTANCE EXPERIMENT

Whoa! A physics experiment in under 10 mins and all you need to do is go raid the computer printer! Make simple air foils and learn about air resistance.

AIR VORTEX CANNON

Make your own homemade air cannon and blast down dominoes and other similar items. Learn about air pressure and the movement of air particles in the process.

BALANCING APPLE EXPERIMENT

Explore balancing apples and gravity with real apples for our  Ten Apples Up On Top Dr Seuss theme. Also try to balance a paper apple (use our FREE printable template to make your own).

BALLOON CAR

Here are two balloon car design suggestions to get the creative juices flowing! You can make a LEGO balloon car or you can make a cardboard balloon car . Both work off of a similar principle and really go. Find out which makes the fastest balloon car.

BALLOON ROCKET

Explore fun forces with an easy to set up balloon rocket project. Also see our Valentine’s Day version ; we have a Santa balloon rocket too! This simple experiment can be turned into any fun theme. You can even race two balloons or set it up outside!

BENDING WATER

Can you bend water? Yes, you can with static electricity. Grab a balloon and some water to set up this easy physics experiment.

BROKEN TOOTHPICK

Is it magic, or is it science? Make a star out of broken toothpicks by only adding water, and see capillary action at work.

Pennies and foil are all you need to learn about buoyancy. Oh. and a bowl of water too!

CAPILLARY ACTION

Check out these fun ways to demonstrate capillary action. Plus, all you need is a handful of standard household supplies.

COLOR CHANGING FLOWERS

Learn about the forces of capillary action as you change your flowers from white to green. Or any color you like! Easy to set up and perfect for a group of kiddos to do simultaneously.

COLOR WHEEL SPINNER

Famous scientist Isaac Newton discovered that light is made up of many colors. Learn more by making your spinning color wheel! Can you make white light from all the different colors?

DANCING SPRINKLES EXPERIMENT

Explore sound and vibrations when you try this fun dancing sprinkles experiment with the kids.

DENSITY TOWER EXPERIMENT

Explore how some liquids are heavier or denser than other liquids with this super easy physics experiment.

DROPS OF WATER ON A PENNY

How many drops of water can you fit on a penny? Explore surface tension of water when you try this fun penny lab with the kids.

EGG DROP PROJECT

Check out our mess-free version of a classic science experiment. This egg drop challenge is a great way to introduce kids to the scientific method as you test out ideas to protect your egg from cracking.

EGG IN A BOTTLE

This egg in a bottle project is a fun way to learn about how changes in air pressure can result in a fascinating and almost magical outcome. Watch a boiled get sucked into a bottle without even touching it!

Let the egg race experiments begin! Which egg will roll to the bottom of the ramp first? Help your kids make predictions as to what will happen with different size eggs and different angles of ramps.

Older kids may also find learning about Newton’s 3 Laws to be interesting, and explore how they can apply those ideas to their egg races.

ELECTRIC CORNSTARCH

Can you make oobleck jump? Learn about static electricity with this fun cornstarch and oil experiment.

FLOATING ORANGE

Investigate whether an orange floats or sinks in water, and even add in the scientific method. Learn about buoyancy and density with a simple ingredient from the kitchen, an orange.

FLOATING PAPERCLIP EXPERIMENT

How do you make a paperclip float on water? This is an awesome   physics activity for young kids and older ones too! Learn about surface tension of water, with a few simple supplies.

FLOATING RICE

Can you lift a bottle of rice with a pencil? Explore the force of friction with this easy physics experiment.

GLOWING SPINACH

Transform ordinary spinach that you eat into a glowing green mixture under ultraviolet light! Learn about the pigments present in plants, particularly chlorophyll and how certain pigments can absorb light at one wavelength and emit light at another, resulting in the observed glow.

Learn about the gravity and the force that keeps us firmly planted on the ground with hands-on and engaging activities for kids. Check out these fun preschool gravity activities and gravity experiments for elementary and older .

HOMEMADE COMPASS

Learn about magnets and magnetic fields with this fun and easy DIY compass project. Build your own compass that will show you which way is north.

HOW DO SHARKS FLOAT

Or why is it that sharks don’t sink in the ocean? Learn about how these great fish coast around through the ocean and buoyancy with this simple physics activity.

Check out more awesome Shark Facts for Kids (Free Printable)

HOW TO MAKE RAINBOWS

Explore light and refraction when you make rainbows using a variety of simple supplies—awesome hands-on science for kids of all ages.

KALEIDOSCOPE FOR KIDS

Learn how to create a kaleidoscope for simple physics.

KITE BUILDING

A good breeze and a few materials are all you need to tackle this Kite making physics project at home, with a group or in the classroom. Learn about forces needed to keep a kite up in the air, as you fly your own kite.

Explore physics with common items found around the house. A homemade lava lamp (or density experiment) is one of our favorite science experiments for kids.

LEGO PARACHUTE

If your mini-figure was about to go skydiving, would they have a LEGO® Parachute? And would their parachute actually work and carry them safely to the ground? Experiment with different materials to see what makes a good parachute.

LEGO ZIP LINE

Can you set up a LEGO zip line and see how well it holds up when in motion? This LEGO® building challenge is also a great way to introduce gravity, friction, slope, energy, and motion while getting creative with your LEGO® design. You could also add a pulley mechanism like we did here for this toy zip line .

LEMON BATTERY

What can you power with a lemon battery? Grab some lemons and a few other supplies, and find out how you can make lemons into lemon electricity!

MAGNETIC COMPASS

Use a magnet to make a compass , or combine the science of magnets with paint for a STEAM project!

MAGNIFYING GLASS

Here’s how you can make your own homemade magnifying glass from a plastic bottle and a drop of water. Find out how a magnifying glass works with some simple physics.

MARBLE RUN WALL

Pool noodles are amazing and cheap materials for so many STEM projects. I keep a bunch on hand all year-long to keep my kid busy. I bet you didn’t know how useful a pool noodle could be for physics projects. Learn about gravity, friction, energy and more with hands-on physics fun!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cardboard Tube Marble Run

MARBLE VISCOSITY EXPERIMENT

Grab some marbles and find out which one will fall to the bottom first with this easy viscosity experiment.

PADDLE BOAT DIY

Learn about kinetic and potential energy with this simple paddle boat project.

PAPER HELICOPTER

Make a paper helicopter that actually flies! This is an awesome   physics challenge for young kids and older ones too. Learn about what helps helicopters rise into the air, with a few simple supplies.

PAPER ROCKET

Kids will love making this simple paper rocket using our free rocket template and a straw. Explore simple physics with gravity, propulsion, energy, and aerodynamics while having a blast!

Build a simple pipeline from cups and straws, and observe how water moves through it because of gravity.

POPSICLE STICK CATAPULT

Want to learn how to make a catapult with popsicle sticks? This  Popsicle stick catapult design is an easy physics experiment for kids of all ages! Everyone loves to launch stuff into the air.

We have also made a spoon catapult , LEGO catapult , pencil catapult , and a jumbo marshmallow catapult !

LEGO RUBBER BAND CAR

We made a simple LEGO rubber band car to go along with our favorite superhero book. Again these can be made as simple or as detailed as your kids would like to make them, and it’s all STEM!

PENNY SPINNER

Make these fun paper spinner toys out of simple household materials. Kids love things that spin and spinning tops are one of the earliest toys made in the US.

POM POM SHOOTER

Similar to our snowball launcher further on, but this physics activity uses a toilet paper tube and balloon to launch pom poms. How far can you fling them? See Newton’s Laws of Motion in action!

POP ROCKS EXPERIMENT

We tested a variety of fluids all with a unique viscosity for this fun pop rocks science experiment. Grab a few packs of pop rocks and don’t forget to taste them too!

RAINBOW IN A JAR

This water density experiment with sugar uses only a few kitchen ingredients but produces an amazing physics project for kids! Enjoy finding out about the basics of color mixing all the way up to the density of liquids.

RISING WATER EXPERIMENT

Add a burning candle to a tray of water, cover it with a jar, and watch what happens!

ROLLING CAN

Another fun way to demonstrate static electricity. Check out this easy physics experiment with an aluminum can and a balloon.

ROLLING PUMPKINS

It doesn’t get much easier than pumpkin rolling on homemade ramps. And what makes it even better is that it’s also a great  simple physics experiment for kids. 

RUBBER BAND CAR

Kids love building things that move! Plus, it’s even more fun if you can make a car go without just pushing it or by adding an expensive motor. 

SALT WATER DENSITY EXPERIMENT

This easy to set up salt water density experiment is a cool variation of the classic sink or float experiment. What will happen to the egg in salt water? Will an egg float or sink in salty water? There are so many questions to ask and predictions to make with this easy physics experiment for kids.

SCREAMING BALLOON EXPERIMENT

This screaming balloon experiment is an awesome   physics activity for kids of all ages! Explore centripetal force or how objects travel a circular path.

SHADOW PUPPETS

Kids love their shadows, love to chase shadows, and love to make shadows do silly things! There’s also some fun things to learn about shadows for physics. Make simple animal shadow puppets and learn about the science of shadows.

SIMPLE PULLEY EXPERIMENT

Kids love pulleys and our homemade pulley system is sure to be a permanent fixture in your backyard this season. Make a pulley simple machine, learn a little physics, and find new ways to play.

We also have this simple pulley system you can make with a paper cup and thread.

SINK OR FLOAT

Use items straight out of the kitchen for our sink or float experiment. Plus I am sure your child will be able to come with other fun things to test! This is a simple physics experiment and totally engaging for young kids.

SNOWBALL LAUNCHER

Explore Newton’s Laws of Motion with this easy-to-make indoor snowball launcher. All you need are a few simple supplies for hands-on fun!

SOUND EXPERIMENT

Kids love to make noises and sounds is all a part of the physical sciences. This homemade xylophone sound experiment is truly a simple physics experiment for kids. So easy to set up, it’s kitchen science at it’s finest with plenty of room to explore and play!

SOAP POWERED BOAT EXPERIMENT

Explore surface tension as kids observe firsthand how soap influences the movement of a small boat on the water’s surface.

SPECTROSCOPE

Create your own DIY spectroscope from a few simple supplies and make a rainbow from visible light for a fun physics project for kids.

STATIC ELECTRICITY

Balloons are a must for this one! These simple experiments explore the concept of static electricity in a hands-on way.

TOY CAR FRICTION EXPERIMENT

Kids love to send cars down ramps! The faster the better! But did you know that this favorite playtime activity is also an awesome science lesson for kids of all ages. Explore friction with just a few simple materials.

VISCOSITY EXPERIMENT

Test the viscosity or “thickness” of different household liquids with this easy physics experiment for kids.

WATER DISPLACEMENT

Learn about water displacement and what it measures with this simple physics experiment for kids.

WATER REFRACTION

Why does the image appear reversed? Have fun with a hands-on demonstration of what happens when light bends! Plus, grab a free printable!

VALENTINE PHYSICS EXPERIMENTS

5 simple physics experiments with a Valentine’s Day theme, including a balloon rocket, static electricity, buoyancy, and more!

WIND POWERED CAR

Build a wind-powered car and explore how wind energy can be transformed into motion.

Add the Scientific Method to Any Physics Project

Use the Scientific Method

Encourage your kids to make predictions, discuss observations, and re-test their ideas if they don’t get the desired results the first time. Science always includes an element of mystery that kids naturally love to figure out!

Grab a free printable and learn more about variables and using the scientific method with kids here .

Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
• Science Vocabulary
• All About Scientists
• Free Science Worksheets
• DIY Science Kits
• Science Tools for Kids
• Scientific Method for Kids
• Citizen Science Guide
• Join us in the Club

Printable Science Projects Pack

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

Wow, I see so many ideas here I want to try? Gravity art, nuts and bolts sculptures…my daughter is going to love these!

Great list of activities! I know that even as an engineer, physics “sounds” hard. Anything we can do to get kids trying it, playing with it and learning it helps remove that stigma. Thanks for including our slime, too 🙂

Your welcome! Yes Physics does sound intimidating but it doesn’t have to be.

• Pingback: Chemistry Activities and Science Experiments for Kids
• Pingback: Scientific Method For Kids with Examples | Little Bins for Little Hands

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44+ Fun and Easy Activities for 4 Year Olds

• Kindergartner
• Preschooler

Check out these fun and easy activities and play ideas for 4 year olds. Here you will find tons easy ideas that you can set up for your preschooler while you take a meeting or get some work done at home. There are also fun sensory bin ideas, cool crafts for them to make and amazing hand-on learning ideas that are playful and fun. Tons of easy ways to keep your 4 year old busy, engaged and entertained at home!

And check out my short form crafting series Curious Crafting on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube ! Watch all the episodes here . Look for Season 2 of Curious Crafting coming in the new year.

Ways to Keep 4 Year Olds Busy

This amazing list of ideas is organized into a few sections. Let me highlight them here for you so you can quickly find what you are looking for fast. Scroll down to find each section.

• Easy Activities That 4 Year Olds Can Do Alone While You Work. These are ideas that you can set up and let your 4 year old do while you work, tend to baby, fold laundry or simply sit down scroll through your phone (yup you’re allow to do that every once in a while)!
• Low Prep Activities for 4 Year Olds. Activities that require little to no prep to create for your preschooler.
• Fun Sensory Bins. Easy sensory bins to create for your 4 year old!
• Easy Crafts for 4 Year Olds . Fun arts and craft ideas that you can do with your 4 year old.
• Hands-on Learning Activities . Fun ways to learn everything from letters, to their name, to numbers, shapes, counting and more.
• Simple STEAM for 4 Year Olds. Engaging Science Experiments four year olds will love!
• Easy Process Art Activities. Process art ideas to help develop creativity and have fun!

5 Easy Activities That 4 Year Olds Can Do Alone While You Work

1. wash the toys..

Grab two large sensory bins or Tupperwares ware containers. Fill one container with water and dish soap. Mix it up to make it bubbly. You don’t need a lot of water to make this fun and engaging just an inch or two will do. Lay a towel underneath everything in order to reduce the mess and clean up afterwards. Fill the other tub with tons of farm animals or dinosaurs or cars. You can set up one thing to wash every week! Let them wash the animals in the soap water. Add towels for drying. You can also add fine motor tools like eye droppers or turkey basters for washing, sponges or scrub brushes. If you’re feeling ambitious you can also place the animals outside the tub and put clean water in the second tub allowing your child to wash and then rinse the animals off before drying them.

Fun Activity using Magnets

2. playing with magnets..

Fill a sensory bin with all the metal object you can find. Think toy trains, cars, coins, paper clips, fridge magnets, bells, magnetic letters, keys. Throw in some other nonmetal items too. Hand your child a magnetic wand and let them explore trying to pick up item. Add cardboard tubes to the sides of the sensory bin using painter’s tape and have them toss metal items down the tubes that will fit and then have them recover the items using the magnetic wand . Check out here how we did it.

Make Foil Presents

3. foil puzzle match ..

Tear off sheets of foil to fit the puzzle pieces and have them do the wrapping for you! Model how to wrap with foil, folding over the puzzle pieces rather than scrunching. Place all the pieces in the basket and let the unwrapping begin! Trust me they will want to do this more than once so tear off a bunch and hand them over as they need them.

Fun Activities using LEGO

4. lego animal trace.

One a large sheet of butcher paper draw the outline of a few animals like a turtle, lion or peacock and invite your child to fill in the rest of the animal with LEGO DUPLO.

5. LEGO Body Trace

Similar to LEGO animal trace but instead you trace their bodies and have them fill them in with LEGO DUPLO or magnetic tiles!

10 Low Prep Activities For 4 Year Olds

6. super steam activity book.

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy here .

7. Make a Bubble Snake

8. Super Easy Ice Sensory Bin

9. Ready Made Playdough Kits

10. Dot Sticker Match

11. Sponge Letter Wash Sensory Bin

12. Pom Pom Water Sensory Bin

13. Mega Blok Names

14. Paint the Toys

Paint plastic outdoor toys with washable paints. Then have your kids rinse off the toys with soap and water and sponges before it actually dries!

• Pom Pom Mega Blok Sort

Fun Sensory Bins and Sensory Play Ideas for 4 Year Olds

• Dinosaur Dig Sensory Bin for Kids

• Outer Space Sensory Bin

• Awesome Fizzy Ice Cream Shop Sensory Bin

• Easy Dandelion Water Table Activity

• LEGO Car Wash Sensory Bin

21. The BEST (Super Easy & Soft) Playdough Recipe

22. Mud Kitchen Set Up For Kids

• Bubble Foam Sensory Bin

• Rainbow Pouring Station Sensory Bin for Kids

• Frozen Pom Poms

• Moon Rock Letters

Crafts for 4 Year Olds

• Easy Glue Resist Rainbow Painting

• Easy Coffee Filter Butterfly Craft for Kids

• Easy Nature Butterfly Sticky Wall Craft

• Dandelion Snail Threading Board: Outdoor Spring Fine Motor Activity

• Melted Crayon Picture Frame: A Colorful STEAM Craft

• Easy Foil Printing

• Fizzy Painting

• Salad Spinner Lion Craft

• Puffy Paint Cupcake Craft

• Cardboard Laptop Craft

• Farm Animal Finger Puppets Craft

• Cotton Pad Turtle Craft

Easy Learning Activities for 4 Year Olds

• TP Name Sort Activity for Preschoolers

• Cupcake Liner Math Activity

• Caterpillar Pom Pom Counting: Easy Toddler Math

• Washi Tape Pattern Matching

• Dot Sticker Cupcake Math: Easy Toddler Activity

• Pom Pom Sweep

• Letter Sticky Wall Crafts

• Pom Pom Caterpillar Counting

• Caterpillar Number Match for Preschoolers

• Cactus Letter Matching & Fine Motor Activity

• Fingerprint Letters

50. Easy Paint the Shapes Activity for Preschoolers

51. Alphabet Matching

Easy STEAM Activities for 4 Year Olds

52. easy baking soda and vinegar experiment for kids.

53. Fizzy Lemon Volcanoes

54. Dot Sticker Coding: Easy STEAM Activity

55. How to Make Oobleck for Kids

56. Dancing Water Beads

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mandisa | Easy Activities for Toddlers & Kids (@happytoddlerplaytime)

Process Art Activities for 4 year Olds

57. salt painting for toddlers & preschoolers.

58. How to Easily Do Blow Painting with Straws

59. Sock Hands Painting

60. Painting Ice: Super Easy Art Activity for Kids

61. Shower Curtain Painting

Age Suitability

This activity is good for kids 4 years and up. My kids are 4, 4, and 8 year old.

This is a mess level varies.

Difficulty to Create

Easy to Medium.

Skills Developed

Sensory play, letter recognition, gross motor skills, language development, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, imaginative play, creativity.

Check out My Books, TV Show & Play Kits!

Book: exciting sensory bins for curious kids.

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.

TV Show: Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to finally share my new crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched July 1 at on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube !

This show is all about fun and easy crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. 

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids

Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.

Our Sensory Play Kits are some fun and easy ways to keep your child engaged while at the same time using sensory play to nurture their mind!

Shop our ready made play kits here .

Will you try any of these activities with your 4 year old pin it for later.

Filed Under:

• Fine Motor Skills
• Four Year Olds
• Gross Motor Skills
• Sensory Bins, Bottles and Bags

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Educators Technology

Innovative EdTech for teachers, educators, parents, and students

18 Easy Science Experiments for Kids

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: June 30, 2024

Effective learning is driven by a sense of motivation, engagement, and challenge. Each of these aspects is interconnected and works symbiotically to create optimal learning experiences. When it comes to science, engagement isn’t always straightforward, and many science teachers still rely on the “storehouse model” (Karen, Roberts & Malcolm, 1991 ), where students are encouraged to store facts for future use.

While the storehouse model might work in certain areas, it doesn’t enhance understanding and critical analysis. Embrace constructionist approaches and hands-on learning to help kids develop inquiry skills and explore the world beyond their textbooks.

Easy Science Experiments for Kids

Science experiments are a fantastic way to embody inquiry skills such as questioning, observing, and reflecting. These hands-on activities encourage kids to become active participants in their learning journey. By engaging in experiments, children learn to ask questions about the world around them, make observations, and reflect on their findings. This process helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, fostering a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Needless to mention that these experiments transform the act of learning from passive absorption of information to an active construction of knowledge, making science both fun and educational.

Below is a collection of practical science experiments for kids that foster essential inquiry skills like questioning, observing, and reflecting, transforming learning into an active and engaging process.

1. Rainbow Density Jar

Create a colorful density experiment by layering sugar-water solutions of different colors and concentrations. Kids will learn about density and buoyancy as they see the layers stack without mixing.

• Age Group : 6-8 years
• Materials : Sugar, food coloring, water, clear jars, spoons
• Educational Insight : Demonstrates liquid density
• Safety Tips : Handle sugar solutions carefully to avoid spills

2. Balloon Rocket

Showcase Newton’s Third Law by attaching a balloon to a straw on a string. When the balloon is released, it propels along the string, illustrating action and reaction forces.

• Age Group : 9-12 years
• Materials : Balloons, string, straws, tape
• Educational Insight : Explains Newton’s Third Law
• Safety Tips : Supervise balloon use to prevent popping near faces

3. Homemade Lava Lamp

Explore immiscibility and chemical reactions with a lava lamp made from water, oil, food coloring, and Alka-Seltzer tablets, creating mesmerizing movements.

• Age Group : 3-5 years
• Materials : Water, vegetable oil, food coloring, Alka-Seltzer, clear bottle
• Educational Insight : Shows oil and water immiscibility
• Safety Tips : Ensure materials are not ingested

4. Solar Oven S’mores

Teach solar energy principles by making s’mores in a homemade solar oven. Kids learn about heat absorption and renewable energy through this delicious experiment.

• Materials : Cardboard box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, black paper, s’mores ingredients
• Educational Insight : Explains solar energy
• Safety Tips : Monitor to prevent overheating

5. Static Electricity Dancing Ghosts

Use static electricity to make tissue paper ghosts “dance” by rubbing a balloon on hair and bringing it close to the ghosts, illustrating static electric forces.

• Materials : Tissue paper, balloon, scissors
• Educational Insight : Demonstrates static electricity
• Safety Tips : Supervise balloon use to avoid accidental popping

6. Egg Drop Challenge

This experiment involves designing a contraption to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height. It encourages creativity and understanding of impact force and material properties.

• Materials : Eggs, straws, tape, cardboard, cotton, etc.
• Educational Insight : Teaches about impact force and engineering design
• Safety Tips : Ensure eggs are handled carefully to avoid mess

7. Invisible Ink

Use lemon juice to write secret messages that become visible when heated. This classic experiment introduces children to the concept of acid-base reactions and oxidation.

• Materials : Lemon juice, paper, cotton swab, heat source
• Educational Insight : Demonstrates acid-base reactions
• Safety Tips : Supervise the use of heat sources

8. Baking Soda Volcano

Create a volcanic eruption using baking soda and vinegar, providing a hands-on demonstration of chemical reactions and gas production.

• Materials : Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, food coloring, container
• Educational Insight : Teaches chemical reactions
• Safety Tips : Conduct in a well-ventilated area

9. Magic Milk

Add drops of food coloring to milk and watch the colors move when soap is added. This experiment illustrates surface tension and the properties of different liquids.

• Materials : Milk, food coloring, dish soap, cotton swabs
• Educational Insight : Explains surface tension

10. Crystal Growing

Grow beautiful crystals using a salt or sugar solution. This experiment helps kids understand the process of crystallization and the properties of solutions.

• Materials : Salt/sugar, water, jar, string, pencil
• Educational Insight : Demonstrates crystallization
• Safety Tips : Handle boiling water with care

11. Oobleck

Make a non-Newtonian fluid called oobleck using cornstarch and water. It behaves like a solid when you apply force and like a liquid when at rest, demonstrating unique fluid properties.

• Materials : Cornstarch, water, bowl
• Educational Insight : Explores non-Newtonian fluids
• Safety Tips : Supervise to prevent ingestion and spills

12. Simple Circuit

Create a simple electrical circuit using a battery, wire, and a small bulb. This experiment introduces basic principles of electricity and circuitry.

• Materials : Battery, wires, small light bulb
• Educational Insight : Teaches basic electrical concepts
• Safety Tips : Supervise handling of electrical components

13. Balloon-Powered Car

Construct a small car powered by the air released from a balloon. This fun project demonstrates the principles of air propulsion and Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

• Materials : Balloons, straws, bottle caps, cardboard
• Educational Insight : Explains air propulsion
• Safety Tips : Ensure parts are securely attached to avoid choking hazards

14. Leaf Chromatography

Explore the pigments in leaves by separating them using chromatography. This experiment shows the different pigments that make up the color of leaves.

• Materials : Leaves, rubbing alcohol, coffee filters, jars
• Educational Insight : Demonstrates chromatography
• Safety Tips : Use rubbing alcohol with supervision

15. Elephant Toothpaste

Create a foamy eruption using hydrogen peroxide, yeast, and dish soap. This exciting experiment demonstrates rapid decomposition and gas production.

• Materials : Hydrogen peroxide, yeast, dish soap, food coloring, bottle
• Educational Insight : Explains chemical reactions and catalysts
• Safety Tips : Handle hydrogen peroxide with care and use gloves

16. Bouncy Egg

Soak an egg in vinegar for a few days to remove the shell, leaving a bouncy, rubber-like egg. This experiment demonstrates chemical reactions between acids and calcium carbonate.

• Materials : Eggs, vinegar, jar
• Educational Insight : Shows acid-base reactions
• Safety Tips : Handle the egg gently to avoid mess

17. Bottle Rocket

Create a simple rocket using a plastic bottle, baking soda, and vinegar. This experiment illustrates chemical reactions and Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

• Materials : Plastic bottle, baking soda, vinegar, cork, paper towels
• Educational Insight : Demonstrates propulsion and chemical reactions
• Safety Tips : Conduct outdoors and supervise closely

18. Static Electricity Butterfly

Create a paper butterfly that moves using static electricity from a balloon. This experiment helps kids understand static charges and attraction.

• Materials : Tissue paper, balloon, string
• Educational Insight : Explains static electricity
• Safety Tips : Supervise balloon use

For more science resources, check out:

• 20 Amazing Science Facts for Kids
• 15 Great Science Websites for Middle School
• 7 Great Science Posters for Classroom
• 10 Best Science Games for Kids

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Preschool Activities For 4-Year-Olds: Sensory Play, Games, Art Projects, And Experiments

April 20, 2024 //  by  Louise Pieterse

The days of coloring books and potato stamps are long gone. It’s time to get creative with your kids and help them explore their world in new ways. At 4 years old, they’re starting to learn more about numbers and letters, becoming pros at writing out their names, differentiating between colors, and showing tons of curiosity about everything around them. 

Why not indulge them in a bunch of awesome activities that promote sensory play, fun with numbers, and a host of artistic exploration? We’re confident that our collection of 57 innovative preschool activities will do just the trick and prove perfect for your curious little 4-year-olds!

1. Sprinkle Sensory Bag

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this activity, it’s packed with endless possibilities and tons of fun! Simply fill a Ziploc bag with a bunch of sprinkles before inviting your little ones to use it as a tracking platform to trace out letters and numbers with their fingers.

Learn More: Active Littles

2. Hiss Board Game

Every preschool teacher knows the importance of having one amazing board game on hand. Hiss is an excellent investment and your kids will be able to play it for years to come! Engage them in this vibrant game by having them match colors to build these radiant wriggly snakes.

Learn More: Game Cows

3. Floating Paintings

This whimsical activity is part magic and part science and incredibly easy to set up. Task your kiddos with drawing a fun picture on a smooth plate with dry-erase markers. Once their doodles are complete, prompt them to pour some water onto the plate and observe as their picture gets picked up by the water and floats around. It’s pure magic!

Learn More: YouTube

4. Cutting Slime

Exercising your toddlers’ scissors skills is an important part of their development, but most activities are resource-heavy and messy. With this simple project, you’ll encourage them to practice their cutting by having them snip into blobs of slime for infinite ways to exercise those little hands.

Learn More: The OT Toolbox

5. Squirt Gun Painting

Throw out those boring painting activity plans and roll out the big guns, or the water guns in this case. Load up some water pistols with a variety of water paints before passing them off to your preschoolers. Then, let the fun begin by allowing them to squirt their guns at some blank canvas to see what colorful creations they’ll come up with.

Learn More: Fireflies and Mudpies

6. Sticky Turtle Wall

This super cute activity is perfect for your curious kiddos who love to play outside. Start by sticking a sheet of contact paper on a wall or fence (sticky side facing outward) and then draw the outline of a turtle on it with a marker. Your children are then free to stick all kinds of natural green elements on the turtle to bring this masterpiece to life.

Learn More: Happy To d dler Playtime

7. Sensory Counting Bag

This customizable activity will make a fantastic addition to your summer-themed activities. Put together this captivating sensory bag by inserting the printable ice cream sheet in a Ziploc bag before filling it with hair gel and pom poms. You’ll then challenge your little ones to use their counting and color recognition skills to move the pom-poms around the bag to the corresponding cones.

Learn More: Happy Tot Shelf

8. Flower Arrangement

When springtime rolls around, embrace the colors of the season with this cheery activity. Engage your little learners’ in this sensory delight by inviting them to arrange flowers in an upside-down colander. Let their creativity flow as they use flowers of different sizes and hues to design these beautiful floral creations.

Learn More: No Time for Flashcards

9. Animal Tape Rescue Activity

Here’s another fun-filled way to work on your tots’ cutting skills and develop their fine motor skills. Start by taping plastic animals into a muffin tray before challenging your kids to free them by using a scissor to cut the tape. If you’re looking to increase the difficulty, replace the tape with string before encouraging them to release the animals with their fingers by unraveling the complicated web.

Learn More: Days with Grey

10. Toddler at Play

It seems like most indoor activities always leave a mess, but this absorbing game only requires a piece of paper and a few shapes. Begin by tracing outlines of toys, blocks, or even kitchen utensils before tasking your kiddos with matching the objects to their outline.

Learn More: Toddler At Play

11. Leaf Rubbing

Nothing promotes sensory engagement quite like nature! Immerse your class in all the colors, smells, and textures of the outdoors with this simple leaf-rubbing activity. Send them off into your schoolyard to pick up a few fallen leaves. You’ll then prompt them to place a blank piece of paper over their leaves before having them rub over it with crayons to reveal all the intricate patterns of nature.

Learn More: Social Field Trips

12. Sticker Lines

If you’ve got a few stickers to spare, this delightful and hands-on activity is the perfect choice. Simply draw lines on a large piece of white paper before having your children place stickers all along the line. You can even amp up the difficulty by challenging them to see if they can stick the colors in a pattern!

Learn More: Busy Toddler

13. Playdough Stamp Counting

Playdough stamping is an age-old kindergarten craft, but have you ever thought of switching it up to a counting activity? In this hands-on exercise, you’ll start by writing various numbers on pieces of paper before tasking your kiddos with stamping the correct number of dots into Playdough using different building blocks.

Learn More: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

14. Pom-Pom Patterns

This interactive activity will work wonders for your toddlers’ color recognition and fine motor skills. Simply arm them with a pair of mini tweezers and then challenge them to place pom-poms in a grid formation by having them follow these printable template cards.

Learn More: Just Teachy

15. Letter Search with Stickers

Familiarizing your tots with alphabet letters just got a whole lot more fun! Provide them with an empty paper towel roll and colorful stickers that you’ve covered in various letters. Then, invite them to match the stickers to the correct letter on the roll.

Learn More: How Wee Learn

16. Leaf Sorting

Here’s another excellent example of how your garden can be one of your greatest resources. Gather up leaves of all shapes and sizes or send your kids into your schoolyard to rustle up a bunch. You’ll then encourage them to do their best as you have them sort each leaf by size, texture, color, or any other characteristics you can think of.

Learn More: Montessori from the Heart

17. Rainbow Stacking Stones

In this triple-threat of an activity, your children will learn all about colors, balancing, and sorting according to size. Begin by inviting them to gather up a bunch of small stones before allowing them to adorn each stone with colorful paint. Once complete, challenge them to stack the stones in order from biggest to smallest.

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

18. Toilet Roll Haircuts

Have your little ones shown interest in wanting to cut their own hair? Avoid any unwanted mishaps by treating them to this adorable cutting activity. They’ll work on their scissors skills as you task them with decorating empty toilet rolls before you engage their inner stylist by having them give their cardboard characters some funky haircuts.

Learn More: Our Kid Things

19. Nail Painting

Another potentially messy activity can be reined in with just a small adjustment. Instead of letting your young minds paint your or their own nails, arm them with nail polish and give them these easy-to-make cardboard cutouts to decorate with colors of their choice.

Learn More: Play Hooray

20. Cotton Ball Painting

If your littles are struggling to get the hang of painting with a paintbrush, this cotton ball painting project will provide them with the perfect happy medium. Simply stick cotton wool in clothes pegs and then place them in various blobs of paint. Your kiddos are then free to go to town on a canvas of your choice as you encourage them to embrace their creative flair!

Learn More: Tip Junkie

21. Name Hop

Any game that can burn off a little energy is a winner in our books! In Name Hop, you’ll start by writing letters on paper plates before you scatter them around your classroom floor. Challenge your tots to make their way through the alphabet by having them jump from letter to letter, spelling out their name or even practicing sight words.

Learn More: Taming Little Monsters

22. Utensil Printing

You can turn nearly anything into art with a bit of colorful paint and a little imagination. In this case, allow your kiddos to use simple kitchen utensils to create vivid patterns with paint. You’ll be amazed to see all the creative flower designs that your budding Picassos come up with.

Learn More: Fantastic Fun and Learning

23. Flower Petal Name Practice

Staying on the floral theme, this delightful activity will let your kids practice spelling out their names. Try adding this to their daily routine as you have them practice laying out petals in the correct order to spell out their names.

Learn More: A Dab Of Glue Will Do

24. Number Search Sticker Activity

There’s seemingly no end to the things you can do with a few stickers and a sheet of paper. In this variation, you’ll start by writing down some numbers on paper before assigning a color to each one. Proceed by handing the sheets out to your class and challenging them to search for the numbers and place the corresponding sticker on each.

Learn More: Stay At Home Educator

25. Sticky Yarn Numbers

Get those nimble hands working in this super simple number recognition activity. Simply draw a bunch of numbers on paper before sticking a sheet of contact paper over it, making sure the sticky side is facing up. Then, invite your littles to trace out each digit by having them use pieces of yarn to map out all the curves and angles.

Learn More: Fun Littles

26. Make Counting Hands

It’s perfectly natural for your children to count on their fingers, but how about letting them count on someone (or something) else’s fingers? Treat them to some hands-on learning by first filling gloves with beans or grain. Afterward, have them roll a pair of dice before challenging them to represent that number on the gloves.

Learn More: JDaniel4’s Mom

27. Ribbon Threading

Even the simplest of activities can have great benefits in the development of your preschoolers. This ribbon threading activity is sure to do the trick as you encourage them to thread different ribbons through an oven rack. They’ll exercise their little fingers and their patience as they weave each ribbon through the rack.

Learn More: Happy Brown House

28. Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils

These salt dough fossils will make a fantastic addition to a prehistoric-themed lesson. Allow your kiddos to press toy dinosaurs into circles of salt dough to create impressions before placing them in an oven to dry. Once hardened, they’ll have an array of dino fossils that you can even hide in your garden for them to dig up later if you’re feeling adventurous! 

Learn More: Mom Brite

29. Colorful Counting Sticks

Craft sticks are probably already a staple in your classroom so setting up this game should be a breeze. Mark each stick with a number and then challenge your little learners to place a corresponding amount of small rubber bands on each stick, according to the number represented.

Learn More: Sweet Silly Sara

30. Paper-Cutting Station

This handy paper-cutting station is the perfect way to keep your little ones busy. Simply print out a few templates that you’ll place in a craft box along with a few pairs of scissors. When your tots have some free time or you’re looking to distract them for a moment, have them open the box, pick out a template, and cut along the lines.

Learn More: Playdough to Plato

31. Lock and Key Number Match

This innovative activity is guaranteed to keep your kids busy while teaching them number and counting skills at the same time. To create this exercise, write numbers on locks before making dots on the keychains of the matching keys. You’ll then encourage your learners to match each lock with its key to unlock them all.

Learn More: ABC Does

32. Bubble Art

Your young minds will create unique pieces of art every time with this imaginative activity. Create a colorful bubble solution by mixing dish soap and paint together before inviting your kids to form bubble clouds by blowing into the solution with a straw. Afterward, allow them to place paper onto the bubbles to form floral templates that they can then adorn with patches of greenery.

Learn More: A Piece of Rainbow

33. Wet Sidewalk Chalk Drawings

Liven up your classroom environment with this outdoor art session. Provide your tots with sidewalk chalk that’s been soaked in water before inviting them to forge impressive patterns in your schoolyard. You’re sure to be mesmerized by all the grand designs that they come up with and how the simple addition of water transforms ordinary sidewalk chalk into an ultra-vibrant medium.

34. Ice Block Treasure Hunt

Here’s a guaranteed boredom buster for those hot summer days. Freeze a bunch of plastic toys in a big block of ice before allowing your children to excavate them. Encourage them to use water, kitchen utensils, and more to try and melt or crush the ice to save the toys from their icy prison.

Learn More: The Inspired Home

35. Glow In The Dark Bowling

Kick lawn bowling up a notch with a whimsical game of glow-in-the-dark bowling. Simply snap a few glow sticks and pop them into plastic bottles filled with water to create a thrilling night-time activity that will work wonders for your kiddos’ gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Learn More: Passion for Savings

36. Rock Painting

You can never go wrong with a classic activity! Rock painting is a fantastic way to get your children to express their creativity while also enjoying some fun in the sun. Provide them with an array of paints and a rock of their choice before getting them excited to whip up these vibrant garden accessories.

Learn More: Mrs. Plemon’s Kindergarten

37. Yarn Painting

Yarn is another potential paintbrush alternative that makes for stunning outcomes! Invite your toddlers to create abstract pieces of art by first having them dip yarn in paint and lay it down on paper. You’ll then prompt them to drag it across the page to produce vibrant tapestries right before their eyes.

38. Clear Frame Portrait Drawing

This ingenious activity maximizes creativity while simultaneously being light on resources. Simply pair your kids up before providing each pair with a clear plastic lid and a dry-erase marker. They’ll then take turns outlining their classmates’ features by placing the lid over their partner’s face and using the marker to trace out all their features.

Learn More: Instagram

39. Mystery Box

Tactile exploration is a key part of your preschoolers’ development and this mystery box activity is one of the best ways to explore that sense. Start by adding anything from toys to fruit, utensils, or foam letters to a box before encouraging your pupils to feel the objects without looking and guess what hidden items lay inside.

Learn More: Kids Art n Craft

40. Animal Rescue

Round up your children and get them ready to embark on this engaging rescue mission! Wrap up a few toys with rubber bands or string before challenging your students to free each animal by using their fine motor skills to unravel the knots and loops that bind the toys.

Learn More: Team Cartwright

41. Animal Leg Match

This adorable activity makes for a delightful addition to animal lessons or could even be used as an extension exercise to an animal book reading lesson. Using clothespins with different kinds of animal legs on them, you’ll task your kiddos with matching them to their body cutouts to complete this fun-filled matching activity. 

Learn More: And Next Comes L

42. Move Like An Animal Cube

It’s time to get those little bodies moving with this dynamic activity! Creative this fun animal movement cube by sticking movement prompts and pictures of animals to each side of the shape. Then, have your littles take turns rolling the cube before encouraging them to jump, crawl, and hop according to the animal movement that their roll lands on.

Learn More: Choices for Children

43. Fine Motor Fishing

Inspire a fresh take on the classic game of magnet fishing! Begin by making these super cute pipe cleaner fish before twisting and turning a separate pipe cleaner to create a hook. Engage your class in scooping up their catch of the day by using the hook to pick up one colorful fish at a time and then drop it into a corresponding toilet paper roll.

Learn More: Home School AEC

44. Animal Washing Station

This might seem like a sneaky way to get your tots to clean their toys, but it’s actually a fantastic way to develop their fine motor skills. Simply cover a bunch of their toys in mud before tasking them with using a toothbrush, cloth, or even cotton buds to get into all the nooks and crannies of their animals – leaving them squeaky clean and primed for playtime!

Learn More: The Imagination Tree

45. Puffy Paint Art

For a whimsical take on art lessons, try whipping up a batch of puffy paint! Using shaving cream and food coloring, you’ll invite your little artists to create textural wonders by squeezing the mixture out of a piping bag. Draw outlines of a picture for them to follow or let their creativity run freely by allowing them to forge artistic wonders from scratch.

Learn More: The Artful Parent

46. Easy-Peasy Sock Puppets

Making these quirky sock puppets is an awesome way to indulge your kids’ creativity while also teaching them the importance of recycling. Gather up a bunch of old socks and have your preschoolers come up with their very own unique character using leftover popsicle sticks, craft supplies, googly eyes, and more!

Learn More: Pinterest

47. Shape Hunt

A classic shape hunt activity may seem simple enough, but it’ll do wonders for your toddlers’ developing minds. Challenge them to hunt around your classroom or outside to find objects in their environment that match a variety of known shapes.

Learn More: Michigan State University

48. Sensory Rice Bin

Sensory activities are as much a rewarding experience for your little ones as they are fun. Immerse them in this wonderful exercise where you’ll have them search through a sea of colorful rice using a variety of tools to aid them in excavating the hidden objects.

Learn More: Honors Grad U

49. Eggshell Garden

Planting little eggshell gardens will be one of the cutest and most memorable experiments to treat your littles to. Have them fill eggshells with soil and seeds before encouraging them to place their eggs in different places around your classroom to observe the effects of sunlight on their growth. It’s a fantastic way to teach them about the importance of recycling and how growing their own plants can aid in fighting the climate crisis.

Learn More: Bright Wheel Blog

50. Nature Art Collage

A walk outdoors is a lovely way for your children to interact with nature and adding a creative element to it means they get to put their thinking caps on as well. Allow them to pick up a variety of natural objects such as sticks, leaves, tree bark, and flowers before encouraging them to use their items to come up with designs such as a whimsical mandala pattern.

Learn More: Emma Owl

51. Story Stones

Inviting your class to create story stones is a sure way to engage every facet of their imagination. Have your kiddos paint simple doodles onto stones or pre-make them if you’re in a time crunch. Then, prompt them to pick a random stone and come up with a fitting tale to match the image displayed.

Learn More: Early Impact Learning

52. Balloon Tennis

DIY Balloon Tennis is an excellent way to work on your children’s hand-eye coordination and expel some energy in the process. Start by whipping up a few racquets using paper plates and popsicle sticks before challenging your little athletes to see who can use them to keep a balloon off the floor for the longest time.

Learn More: Lovevery

53. Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course

If your kids love to move and play outdoors, this activity will soon become one of their favorites! Plan out a thrilling obstacle course on your sidewalk by using colorful chalk to map out each movement that your learners will have to carry out. Once complete, challenge them to move through the course as quickly and accurately as possible as you have them jump, hop, and skip to the finish.

Learn More: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

54. Bubble Wrap stomp painting

It’s not often that your little ones get to make a mess without consequences, but in this creative project, they’ll get to do just that! Start by taping large pieces of bubble wrap around their feet before inviting them to step onto a large sheet of paper. They’re then free to dip their feet into different paints and stomp around the canvas to create an abstract masterpiece.

Learn More: Mess for Less

55. Balloon Rocket Experiment

Introducing your class to STEM activities at an early age is a wonderful way to skyrocket their progress. In this fun-filled experiment, you’ll assist them in using materials such as balloons, string, tape, and straws to design a balloon rocket that’s completely propelled by the laws of physics!

Learn More: Kaplan

56. Musical Statues

Treat your young minds to a classic game of Musical Statues to improve their concentration skills and get their bodies grooving. Have them try out the classic version where they’ll need to freeze as soon as the music stops. For an added twist, when the music stops encourage them to freeze before pretending to be an animal or prompting them to express a random emotion.

Learn More: Silly Fish Learning

57. Bead Patterns

Using beads as a tool for learning not only results in a variety of trendy accessories but they can also be used as a method to develop your toddlers’ finger control and fine motor skills. In this activity, have them pick a random pattern card before inviting them to string colorful beads onto pipe cleaners to accurately represent the order on their cards.

Learn More: 8 Beading Activities for Preschoolers

Love and Marriage

And A Baby Carriage.

10+ Simple Science Experiments for 3-4 Year Olds

kid activities

My pre-schooler Brady loves it when I tell him we are going to do science experiments .  He gets so excited and totally lights up.  They’re just so much fun!

I try to find science experiments I can do with him that are simple and don’t take a lot of time and patience.  We all know patience is not a virtue of a four-year-old.

I like them to only require a few ingredients and be completely safe and hands-on.  Here are my most favorite experiments I’ve found for a three to four-year-old.

10 Simple Science Experiments for 3-4 Year Olds

(affiliate links included throughout – see  my disclosure  for more information – thanks for your support) 

1.  Oil and water don’t mix , but what happens when you add this special ingredient?  From Play Trains.

2.  Test your kids hypothesis on what would happen if they stepped on raw eggs .  They will love this one!  From Housing A Forest.

3.  You can blow up a balloon with a combination of soda and candy.  So cool!  From Learn Play Imagine.

4.  This exploding baggie experiment is a twist on the classic baking soda and vinegar reaction and is super simple.  From Coffee Cups and Crayons.

5.  Exploding milk is one of the most fun and simple kid science experiments and you only need three kitchen ingredients.  From Laughing Kids Learn.

My friends just wrote a brilliant science books for kids that we just adore! You’ve gotta check out The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments .

6.  How do the ice trucks melt snow after a storm?  This is a great demonstration.  From The Artul Parent.

7.  Explain to your kids how sound waves work with this classic experiment.  From We Made That.

8.  Explaining the concept of air pressure to preschoolers can be tricky but this easy experiment shows it perfectly!  From Kids Activities Blog.

9.  Explore how plants “drink” with this experiment showing water moving through a leaf .  From Buggy and Buddy.

10.  Did you know you can make ice grow ?  Here’s how!  From Teach Preschool.

Amazing Science Kits For Kids

Kitchen Science Kit   |  Magnet Science Kit   |  Solar Science Kit   |  Grow A Maze Kit

Want More? Here’s Art Projects for 3-4 Year Olds

Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.

Related posts:

• 27 Fun Easter Games for Kids
• Frozen Crafts :: For The Olaf Obsessed
• The Coolest Outdoor Play Areas To Make For Your Kids
• {25} Valentine Mailboxes That Are Almost Too Cute to Stand

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February 27, 2015 at 8:20 am

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March 19, 2015 at 4:04 pm

Fantastic collection! I just bought a ton of eggs from Costco to let my boys try walking on them. 😉 Thanks for including our balloon experiment!

August 4, 2015 at 8:41 pm

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January 15, 2017 at 8:17 pm

This is very interesting activity for my kids, I love to try this at home to create something new. Thanks for sharing your idea. 🙂

January 15, 2017 at 8:24 pm

I like your idea very creative and I think this is so much fun. Thank you for sharing your great idea.

June 18, 2017 at 3:37 am

Thanks, I have been looking for some arts and crafts for my granddaughter. She will love these. I am a little hesitant on the stepping on eggs thing though. Can’t tell you how many times I have gotten egg shells stuck in the palm of my hands.

August 4, 2017 at 7:54 pm

What great ideas! My 4yo starts preschool soon and I’ll need more activities to keep him busy. Thanks for sharing!

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Pregnancy > Parenthood

25 Fun Activities for 4 Year Olds with Household Items!

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Below, you’ll find a list of 25 activities for 4 year olds that you can try at home. These activities are fun, stimulating, and won’t break the bank and they utilize many common household items!

Four is a very special age when it comes to the mental, physical, emotional, and social development of a child. Just past the torrential toddler stage, slightly more independent, yet still irrevocably adorable and inquisitive as ever. The mind of a four-year-old is still like a sponge, and they are constantly learning about the world around them through experience. As caregivers, we do our best to offer activities that not only entertain them but stimulate their minds. 

Activities for 4 Year Olds with ONLY Household Items

Homemade instruments.

DIY projects are always the best. Making instruments at home is a fun and cheap activity for your four-year-old and you both can enjoy an in-home concert! Here are a few instruments you can make at home with stuff you most likely have:

Rain-maker: Take some uncooked rice and place it inside a cardboard roll (toilet paper or paper towel) and secure both ends.

Harmonica: Tape plastic straws together that are cut at different lengths.

It’s no secret that young children love baked goods- but how fun would it be if they could learn how to make their favorite treats? Baking with your four-year-old is an activity that comes with a multitude of benefits. Learning to read and understand recipes, measure, and count time are all benefits of baking with your four-year-old.

This activity also teaches patience and the importance of paying attention because they get a yummy reward at the end.

Costumes don’t always have to come from a Halloween store at a steep price. With a little imagination, you and your four-year-old can use some items from around the house to come up with their own unique costume. When you’re done, have fun with some imaginative play!

DIY Play Dough

Homemade playdough is easier than you think! Here’s a  great recipe – you probably have all the ingredients around your house! It’s inexpensive, you can make as many colors as you like, and it’s non-toxic! This playdough can also last for a few months if stored in a Ziploc baggie.

Cheese graters, cookie cutters, and other household objects can be used as molds to make cool soft creations.

At Home Puppet Theater and Show

Making your own puppets and a puppet show theater is actually pretty easy. There are plenty of cool DIY ideas online and puppets can easily be made from old socks, paper bags, or just about anything your four-year-old can stick googly eyes on (with your permission of course!).

Watching your four-year-old put on a puppet show can also give you a glimpse as to what’s on their minds.

Creative Activities for 4 Year Olds

Finger/feet painting.

Not only is painting with hands and feet loads of fun, but it’s also great way to get in some sensory play. Washable finger paints are easily found online or in craft stores, and you can recycle old newspapers, paper bags, or junk mail to use as a canvas. There are so many different creations you and your little one can make together with your built-in paintbrushes.

Find a cute room and decorate the playroom or kid’s bathrooms with your creations!

DIY Silly Putty

Let’s face it, kids love potty sounds, I know I did as a kid! Combine borax, school-glue, and some food coloring to make your own silly putty that’ll have your four-year-old laughing hysterically!

Make a Collage

Finally a use for those old magazines and newspapers collecting dust in your attic! Collages are fun to put together and the end product is a satisfying project for any four-year-old. Whether you’re making a dream/vision board or just a collage of favorite things, your little one can express their creativity with different colors and scissors with different designs.

DIY Storybook

Having your four-year-old create their own storybook is a really enjoyable way to enhance their reading and writing skills. Staple a few blank pages together and let your little one’s imagination run wild, complete with hand-drawn illustrations. When they’re done, read the book together!

Invent a New Toy

Creativity in a four-year-old is full of imagination and innovation. Why not have them invent a new toy with household items?

DIY Bird Feeder

A DIY bird feeder is an easy home project and your four-year-old will love seeing the different types of birds and other woodland critters come up for a bite. Simply find a pine cone and have your four-year-old cover it with peanut butter, attached a string, and hang it up outside where you can see!

You don’t have to have a green thumb to enjoy this activity with your little one. Many large retail home and garden stores sell already sprouted plants, all you have to do is plant them and water! Tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs are all fairly easy starter plants.

Yes, your four-year-old might ask you every day if the plants are ready to harvest, but the joy on their faces when that day comes is incomparable, and they can take pride in their hard work and patience.

Sidewalk Chalk

On a warm sunny day, there’s no better activity than covering a driveway or patio in bright and colorful creations with your four year old. Your little one will love spending time doodling on this giant canvas.

Create a New Song

If you listen closely, you’ll often hear your four-year-old singing a silly song they made up. Why not join them? Write down the lyrics and record them on your phone.

If you’re handy with an instrument, accompany your little one. If not, it’s still fun to add in some DIY instruments.

Classic Activities to Play Together

Most of us probably grew up with Legos in our home. Whether you and your four-year-old are working together to build a specific Lego kit, or just having fun and letting imaginations go wild, building with Lego blocks are a great way to express creativity and fine-tune those developing fine motor skills.

On a day where the weather may not be the best for outdoor activities, a puzzle might be just what you and your four-year-old need to chill out and concentrate on for some time. Puzzles are a great way to spend some downtime with your four-year-old, talking and working together.

Who doesn’t love a good karaoke session? Whether you and your four-year-old are performing in the car or at home, karaoke is a fun activity that releases energy and brings you and your little one closer. Sing along to the radio or find the karaoke version of your favorite song on YouTube!

Hide and Seek

Hide-and-seek is a fun activity that only requires you and your four-year-old! For a few extra “players” hide some stuffed animals or action figures around the house.

Freeze Dance!

Freeze dance is a fun way to release some of that four-year-old energy. The rules are simple: play your favorite song and when the music stops, everyone has to freeze!

Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts don’t have to wait until Easter time. This is an easy and educational activity for your four-year-old than can be done with objects already at home. Create a list of everything you’re hiding and let your four-year-old find them and check off the boxes. 

Add an extra challenging element by making an obstacle course to get to some of the items!

“Simon/Simone Says”

I’m sure we’ve all played this game at some point in our lives, and it’s a timeless one. This game is a quick activity that only requires you and your four-year-old. Simon/Simone says is a great way for four-year-olds to learn to give and receive directions.

Sink or Float?

My son’s current favorite internet personality is Blippi. Blippi creates highly interactive videos for young preschool-age children and provides many great ideas for parents on activities they can do with their young ones. One simple activity is the “sink or float” game – it’s just as simple as it sounds. All you need is a large container filled with water, like a spare fish tank and a few items you don’t mind getting wet.

Ask your four year old if they think the item will “sink or float”, and then test out their theory!

Paper Airplanes

A classic indoor or outdoor activity that we’ve all enjoyed ourselves when we were younger. Paper airplanes don’t have to be simple. There are plenty of online ideas on how to create a unique plane that’ll be loads of fun to test out.

Pretend School

As four-year-olds are preparing to enter kindergarten, they may be curious as to how the school day will go. A great activity to get them used to the formal school day is to set up a pretend school. Let your four-year-old be the teacher and you and other family members (or stuffed animals) can be the students. This is also a great learning activity as your little one will be “teaching” and leading the class.

These are just a few of the many activities that you can do with your four-year-old at little to no cost. Whether you’re spending the day indoors or enjoying some fresh air, there’s always plenty to do with your little one. 

You May Also Like:

The Ultimate Guide for Hunkering Down at Home [Indoor Activities & More!]

5 Quotes That Will [Help Break You Out of the Mom Slump]

Treat Mama to a Little Luxury- Our Mother’s Day Favorites

Pin for Later: 25 Fun Activities for 4 Year Olds with Household Items!

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10 Comments

Saved as a favorite, I really like your website!

Thanks Flora!

Keep this going please, great job!

Yeah,I would say the same. Great job!

My name is Erin Marie. I am a fellow blogger. I LOOOOVE your website and use it all of the time with my daughter. So, I nominated you for the Liebster Award.

You can view the nomination post here: https://luckyinluv.com/liebster-award

Thank You! Erin Marie

Thank you for your exciting, educational and easy-to-follow experiments and activities. I help run a boys’ club (ages 7 to 11) and we are always looking for activities which will make their brains work harder while their hands have a bit of fun! I am looking forward to receiving your emails with more of these science activities.

You take experiments from Home Lab App in Google play

I haven’t heard of that app, so no, I haven’t taken any of their experiments. Although, many of them are ‘common’ science experiments that are available in many science textbooks and the like, so there’s likely to be unintentional double up.

is there a way to print the snowflake activity directions without having to print 20 pages? Thanks!

Ah, yes, I’m working on adding an easy ‘print instructions’ feature. sorry it’s not up and running yet, but watch this space!

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• Raising Kids

The Best Science Kits for Hands-On STEM Fun

Kids of all ages will have a blast (but not literally) while learning.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Our Review Process

• Factors to Consider

Your Questions, Answered

Parents / Alli Waataja

You might not realize it, but you’ve probably been teaching your child science their whole life. Maybe they’ve watched you cook, or you pointed out a frozen puddle during a winter stroll. Science is all around us, waiting to be explored. But if you want to continue those lessons more purposefully, the best science kits for kids can help.

Even without your help, children are natural scientists, constantly observing, inquiring, discovering, testing, and problem-solving, according to Rachel Robertson, vice president of education development at Bright Horizons. “They’re masters at cause-and-effect experiments. They ask lots of questions. They make mistakes and try again. These are all valuable aspects of any STEM learning.”

Science kits can be a great addition to these instinctual learning experiences. “[Kits] tap into a child’s curiosity and provide a hands-on learning experience that can deepen their understanding of scientific concepts and provide opportunities for them to build, be creative, have fun, and explore new things,” says Michelle Felder, LCSW, MA, a parenting therapist and founder of Parenting Pathfinders. Not only does a good kit make abstract scientific concepts more tangible , enjoyable, and easier to understand, it can also boost a child’s confidence. “Science kits [let them] develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they make observations, engage in experiments, and explore how one thing can impact another.”

Whether they’re watching a volcano explode with foam “lava,” completing circuits that light up a room, or churning ice cream (yes, that’s science), playing with our favorite science kits can ignite your child’s love of learning. While we used our own kids’ experiences and consulted experts to create this list, every child is unique in their needs, development, skill set, and preferences. Choosing a kit that’s safe, fun, and reflective of their interests is key. Ultimately, one of these can spark your child’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of science.

Best for Preschoolers

Learning resources mix and measure activity kit.

If your 3-year-old always grabs at your measuring cups when you’re cooking, you might have a budding scientist on your hands. Why not let them experiment with their own? Measuring and mixing builds early math and science skills. The chunky, colorful tools in this set are contoured for little hands, and the activity cards introduce children to measurement while making mystery goo, puffy paint, slime, and more. For ages 3 and up.

Best for Pretend Play

Just play ada twist, scientist on the go lab set.

Consider this portable play with a side of learning. Based on the children’s book by Andrea Beatty , which gained more fame through a Michelle and Barack Obama-produced Netflix show, this kit inspires young children to view science as something fun and exciting. The colorful wheely case opens up to reveal test tubes, a beaker, safety goggles, a working scale, and other tools. Grownups can help conduct kid-friendly experiments with six instruction cards, or little ones can do them on their own. For ages 3 and up.

Best First Experiments

Learning resources primary science lab deluxe set.

Spark a preschooler’s imagination with more hands-on science investigation . Curious kids can conduct 20 “experiments” such as shining pennies, making a homemade volcano, and mixing colors with this kit. We love that it fosters independence through easy-to-understand instructions and real science tools such as test tubes, eye droppers, funnels, flasks, a magnifying scope, safety glasses, and more, all sized for little hands and made from durable plastic. For ages 3 and up.

Most Delicious

Kiwico science of cooking: ice cream.

While KiwiCo's subscription kits are great for a monthly dose of STEM, this one-off purchase by the company makes science literally cool. Your little scientist will learn about crystals, freezing points, and food stabilizers as they mix and shake, shake, shake their way into making delicious frozen desserts to share with the family. Instructions and equipment are included, but buying the ingredients is up to you. For ages 5 and up.

Best Bubbles

Dr. zigs magical frozen bubbles kit.

Uncommon Goods

When you’re looking for a fun activity on a chilly day, this frozen bubbles kit does the trick. Thanks to the bamboo cup and straw and a sustainable and biodegradable bubble solution, you can add a bit of hands-on magic to the science of crystal formation. When used outdoors in temps 23 degrees Fahrenheit or below, watch crystals slowly form on bubbles right in front of your eyes. Don’t feel like a trip outside? Use the kit in your freezer, though it will take 20 minutes. Your young artist or photographer will also love capturing the crystals on paper or in a photo. For ages 5 and up.

Best for Magic Lovers

Alex toys scientific explorer magic science kit.

This kit allows any wizard- or witch-obsessed kiddo to master “magic” by understanding the science behind it. To up their sorcery skills, Magic Science contains activities that teach them tricks using chemical reactions, such as making ordinary powders mystically foam and change color, creating test tube crystal balls, and more. The kit includes several of the chemicals needed (for example, citric acid, baking soda, vegetable oil, and red cabbage powder), so kids don’t have to raid the pantry to complete these experiments. It also has test tubes, a tube wand, measuring scoops, star stickers, and an activity guide. For ages 6 and up.

Best for Art Lovers

Crayola color chemistry set.

Color us impressed: Crayola never ceases to keep kiddos entertained, whether it's with an iconic box of 64 crayons or this chemistry set that’s just as colorful. The easy-to-read instruction booklet contains 50 colorful science activities and crafts to try out at home, including a tornado in a bottle, glow worms, and watercolor ice. They’ll love knowing these projects were developed by the same Crayola scientists who helped develop their favorite art supplies. For ages 7 and up.

Best Planetary Model

Thames & kosmos bouncing planets.

Under adult supervision, a little space cadet can create five colorful, rubbery planet models in just minutes using a spherical mold and polymer granules. Masquerading as a fun craft project, the real lesson of this experiment actually covers weighty topics such as matter (how and why the balls form) and why elasticity causes things to bounce. They’ll leave the table with science and planet know-how, as well as a bunch of bouncy balls for future play. Word to the wise: For quicker set time, use hot water. For ages 8 and up.

Best for 8 and Up

Abacus brands bill nye vr science kit.

While having Bill Nye over for an in-person science lesson would be the best gift ever, the VR headset in this science kit provides the next best thing. Download an app to your phone, place it in the headset, and Nye will pop out of the spiral-bound project book to explain the scientific principles behind each of the 30 science projects included in the kit. After all, he’s the Science Guy, so his explanations are probably better than most could provide. Much of the necessary equipment for each experiment is included, but you will need to use some typical household items as well. This kit got heavy use by one of our editor’s kids through the pandemic, and she still recommends it to everyone who asks. For ages 8 to 12.

Best for Space Lovers

Abacus brands bill nye vr space lab.

Like the general science kit above, this Space Lab kit uses hands-free virtual reality goggles to bring everyone’s favorite Science Guy right into your home for an immersive learning experience about space and time. Just point the phone at a picture in the 96-page interactive book, and it will turn into a video that takes viewers through an exploration of our planet, solar system, galaxy, universe, and more. The activities and physical crafts throughout the book are out of this world. For ages 8 to 13.

National Geographic Super Gross Chemistry Set

Kids can be gross. And usually, when you promise an experiment that’s full of yucky fun, they’re all ears. National Geographic harnesses some of that tendency in this kit that contains instructions and equipment for 15 different gross experiments with themes like boiling boogers, farting slime, bursting blood cells, eyeballs, and test-tube vomit. The bonus guide also has instructions for an additional 30 experiments, for those whose scientific curiosity keeps on going, no matter how disgusting. For ages 8 and up.

Best About Weather

4m green science weather science kit.

With all eyes on the younger generation to fight climate change, this mini-observatory aids in understanding how our weather works. Your up-and-coming meteorologist can experiment with static electricity for lightning, build a desktop water cycle model to learn about the greenhouse effect, attempt to grow seeds in “acid” rain, and even make clouds in their palm. For ages 8 and up.

Best Microscope

Omano juniorscope microscope.

Introduce a child to the world that’s invisible to the naked eye with this high-quality microscope kit. The glass objective lenses provide young scientists with crystal-clear views all the way up to 400x magnification level. They can study both solid objects (such as hair strands and leaves) and transparent specimens (blood cells, bacteria). It comes with DIY slides and petri dishes, as well as prepared slides. All they need is a lab coat and they’ll feel like real research professionals! For ages 8 to 12.

Best Electricity

Think fun circuit maze electric current logic game.

When it comes to a stealth learning experience, you can’t beat a puzzle, especially one with light-up LED circuits you create yourself. Electrify a boring rainy day or weekend alone time with this single-person game that comes with 60 challenges of varying levels, all with the goal of arranging the tokens to create a real circuit that lights up the different colored beacons. For ages 8 and up.

Best Crystals

4m crystal growing experimental kit.

Most adults would be hard-pressed to explain how crystals form—that is unless they too had a crystal-growing kit when they were younger. It is definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing science projects kids can do. This kit comes with the compounds, containers, and dyes to make seven dishes of crystals that will form over the course of just a week. The display domes allow them to keep and show off their projects too. (Then maybe they can explain this magic to the rest of us.) For ages 10 and up.

Best Science Subscription

Mel science luminescence.

MEL Science

Shine a little light on their love of science with a MEL Science subscription. This company offers STEM, Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine science kit subscriptions, and each is appropriate for a different age range. Our editor and her child have enjoyed building experiments following simple instructions along with the accompanying immersive VR lessons for some of the kits. For example, the Luminescence set from the Physics subscription creates loads of fun with light. You’ll build a fluorescent liquid night-light, create mysterious pictures with light, and make ink for special invisible notes. For ages 5 and up.

Wonder Workshop Dash Robot Wonder Pack

This friendly-looking little robot is powerful in all the right ways: Paired with one of four free apps, it teaches kids about block coding and how it can work in the real, three-dimensional world. The robot comes with accessories that let it draw, pick things up, and even launch objects in the air. It also has connectors that are compatible with Lego bricks, for kids who really want to customize its look. For ages 6 and up.

We handpicked all of the products on our list of the best science kits by considering entertainment value, safety, instructions, materials included, and challenge level to provide an exciting mix of science exploration for different interests and ages. We included chemistry, physics, and microbiology sets, along with engineering, STEM, STEAM, and robotic kits, many of which our own children have tried at home. And since what engages a 4-year-old with pretty colors and foam might bore a robotics-ready teen, we included kits for a wide range of ages.

Our Experts

To find out how science kits can enhance a child’s development and education, we interviewed the following experts:

• Michelle Felder , LCSW, MA, parenting therapist, founder of Parenting Pathfinders, and a member of the Parents Review Board
• Rachel Robertson , vice president of education development at Bright Horizons
• Marianne Szymanski , founder and president of Toy Tips Inc., whose son created an entire “science lab” in her basement when he was 7 years old

Factors to Consider When Buying a Science Kit for Kids

• Educational Benefits: Bringing this type of fun and engaging educational play into the home can ignite a child’s interest in science, technology, engineering, and math from an early age. “When STEM learning happens at home, it can also provide parents and caregivers a chance to spend time with their child engaging in a creative activity, [which is] an effective way of cultivating a connection through learning and exploring together,” says Felder. 
• Recommended Age: Age level is especially important when choosing science kits, says Szymanski. Following manufacturer guidelines ensures both safety and enjoyment. “Parts and pieces that are too small to operate, are messy, or easily lost may frustrate a child and parent, while science kits with small print instructions that are hard to read may [discourage] reading, which can turn into a safety issue,” she cautions. Felder agrees. “Consider if [your child] has the necessary skills to engage with the kit as it’s intended and how much grown-up involvement they’ll need, as some kits are designed to be done independently, while others require adult guidance.” 
• Type of Kit: While initially determined by the subject matter and age range, the kit you choose might include chemicals for fun reactions; kid-friendly versions of scientific tools such as beakers, test tubes, and microscopes; STEM-based circuits; and/or robotic elements. Kits for toddler age typically have simple familiar items, such as measuring cups, coloring agents, and activity booklets with stickers. Some kits are solely made of physical materials and paper manuals while others pair with apps and VR headsets for additional instruction.
• Safety: Safety should come first, whether you’re a young learner just starting out or an actual scientist by trade. Be sure that the kit you choose has the correct safety measures in place for a child, such as goggles for chemical reactions, gloves for messy parts, and non-breakable tools. Always pay attention to whether any experiments require adult supervision. 
• Price: How much you spend on a science kit can vary from $11 to a few hundred dollars, based on the level of equipment included, as well as how technical and involved the kit is. Robotics and STEM kits are typically more expensive than simple chemistry and biology sets. 

Why are science kits good for kids? 

Science kits can be wonderful learning tools for kids, as they create opportunities for them to engage with scientific concepts through experiments and activities. “Playing with science can foster a sense of curiosity and a desire to explore their world,” says Felder. “The ability to analyze and solve problems is a skill, and playing with science helps to hone this skill, even in young children.” Playing with science can also provide kids with examples of cause and effect, and opportunities to explore how different elements are connected and interact with each other. Learning through play can make the concepts explored more memorable and enjoyable. 

What does a science kit usually contain? 

Science kits incorporate tools to interact and make discoveries about the planet, physics, the human body, weather, biology, chemistry, interesting reactions, and scientific facts. That could mean anything from beakers and funnels to materials for magic growing crystals and robotics. 

According to Felder, there are some common components that you would typically expect to find in a science kit for kids, such as an instruction manual, experiment materials, child-friendly and non-toxic chemicals for experiments, and easy-to-use tools.

Are science kits worth the money?

While they’re fun and a great intro to science, a one-time use kit might not give your kiddo the full science experience, according to Robertson. “If a child follows a few steps and completes the kit, they didn’t really experience a true STEM activity,” she explains. “They need to have an opportunity to actively engage and use their natural curiosity and ingenuity.” For those interested in a more in-depth journey through the science world, focus on kits that result in something that can last over a longer period of time or be reused.

When should I introduce science to my child? 

It’s never too soon to introduce science to kids. “Science is all around us and woven into all facets of our lives,” says Felder. Although a child’s understanding of different concepts typically deepens as they grow, it can be beneficial to plant the seed of scientific learning, curiosity, and exploration early on.”

Cheryl Fenton is a Boston-based freelance lifestyle writer who has enjoyed a 30-year career of bylining in both national magazines and popular websites, as well as authoring a book or two. As the daughter of a retired microbiologist in molecular genetics and a retired cardiovascular physiologist, science was clearly in her DNA but not in her future, as she decided on a career path with the creative arts over the experimental kind.

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